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Bus rapid transit

Adapted from Wikipedia · Explorer experience

A public bus traveling through Jakarta, Indonesia, serving commuters and workers in the city.

Bus Rapid Transit

Bus rapid transit, or BRT, is a special bus system that helps buses move faster than regular buses. BRT buses have their own roads, so they don’t get stuck in traffic. This makes the ride quicker and more fun for everyone.

The idea of BRT started in the city of Curitiba in 1974. Today, many cities around the world have their own BRT systems. The longest BRT system is in Transjakarta, in the Indonesian capital city. BRT mixes the speed of trains with the flexibility of buses, making it a popular choice for many places.

BRT buses have special roads just for them. They also have easy places to get on and off, like small stations. Passengers can buy tickets before getting on the bus, which makes everything faster. Bus stops are designed so people can get on and off quickly, even if they use wheelchairs or have strollers.

Some BRT systems use big vehicles, like long buses with many doors. This helps lots of people get on and off quickly. Stations might have special areas where many buses can stop at the same time. Signs and speakers help passengers know when the bus is coming.

BRT systems can carry lots of people. Some BRT lines can move up to 150,000 passengers in one hour in one direction. This is almost as much as some train systems! BRT is also cheaper to build than train systems, because it doesn’t need special tracks.

BRT helps the environment too. By using buses instead of private cars, cities can have less pollution. In Bogotá, Colombia, the BRT system helped lower air pollution. BRT is a great way for cities to move people quickly, comfortably, and safely.

Images

A long, articulated bus used for public transportation in Guatemala City and Villa Nueva.
An elevated busway at Runcorn Shopping City in the United Kingdom.
Two large buses stopping at a busy bus station in Curitiba, Brazil.
A modern city bus traveling on a special bus-only road in Australia.
A trolleybus passing through a station in Quito, Ecuador.
A busy city bus stop along a major road with buildings and a footbridge in the background.
A large, modern bus used for public transportation in Xiamen, China.
A public bus at the Richmond Hill Centre Terminal, part of the Viva bus service in Ontario, Canada.
A busway station with designated bus-only lanes, showing public transportation infrastructure.
A modern bus station in Albuquerque, New Mexico, part of the city's public transportation system.
A city bus driving on a street in Mexico City.
A busy bus station where people can catch buses in the city.
A dual-mode bus traveling through a station in downtown Seattle back in 1994.
A Silver Line bus stopped at Courthouse station in Boston, March 2017.

Related articles

This article is a child-friendly adaptation of the Wikipedia article on Bus rapid transit, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

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