Given similar infrastructure benefits to those that are being bestowed upon light rail systems, the bus has enormous unfulfilled potential. By employing simple, rugged, guidance technology, rapid transit performance is achievable where it is needed to avoid delays due to congestion, whilst retaining the inherent flexibility and high accessibility of the bus in uncongested areas. The bus also has the advantage that it can operate as its own feeder and distributor, thereby minimising the need for interchange arising from light rapid transit (LRT) systems. Performance is however hindered by traffic congestion, a rapidly worsening problem. If the current trend towards introducing LRT was replaced by major quality improvements to bus services, supported by guideway systems for speed and reliability, the bus would be capable of meeting most of the future needs for mass transit systems at a more economical cost. (A)
Samenvatting