50 years of BRT: 5 advantages of BRT buses

Bus Rapid Transit. It’s in the name! BRT is an innovative mobility solution that is both fast to implement and fast for passengers. The bus is the most used mode of public transport around the world. And with millions of journeys taken every day, there can be no fully sustainable mobility in our cities without transforming the bus. One of the transportation innovations doing this is BRT.

In November 2024, we celebrate 50 years since the launch of the world’s first BRT in Curitiba, Brazil. Given this, it is worth recognising how BRT can contribute to our future. As a modern, climate-friendly mass public transport solution, BRT has the potential to improve urban mobility and help our cities achieve carbon neutrality.

Discover the event

BRT, meaning Bus Rapid Transit, is a bus-based mode of transport that boasts dedicated infrastructure and performance uplifting features that make it an efficient, high-capacity system. To date, BRT systems operate in 187 cities around the globe, carrying nearly 35 million passengers every day. 58% of these BRT networks are located in Latin America or Asia, with another quarter in Europe. Though Latin America takes the prize – the region is home to a third of all BRT route kilometres and nearly two-thirds (63%) of its ridership.

Not all BRT systems are created equal. In some countries, BRT is the backbone of the transport network. In others, BRT is simply a way to increase the capacity of the existing network and improve the quality of service. While average daily ridership in many European BRT systems fluctuates between 20,000 and 35,000, flagship BRT systems across the world such as Transmilenio in Bogotá, Colombia; TransJakarta in Jakarta, Indonesia; and Metrobus in Istanbul, Turkey carry well over 1 million passengers a day.

With the advantages of BRT clear, the mode has grown rapidly. In 2000, 25 cities across the world had BRT systems. Today that number is closer to 200 – and it will keep growing! For example, out of the 61 public transport projects earmarked for funding by the US Federal Transit Administration, 40 are BRT.

Here are just 5 benefits to BRT buses:

Thanks to its dedicated infrastructure, BRT buses can operate faster than regular buses. For example, in Bogotá the Transmilenio operates 10km/h faster than regular urban buses. And BRT is more efficient for a variety of factors:

• Transit-oriented street design (TOD)
• Dedicated right-of-way
• Traffic signal priority
• Off-board fare collection
• Shorter bus headway times
• All-door faster passenger boarding

Studies show that the largest travel time reductions and increases in ridership take place where BRT operations are frequent and the buses are segregated from other road traffic.

BRT systems, even when fully or partially operated with petrol/diesel-powered vehicles, have been able to achieve a significant CO² emission reduction thanks to modal shift, particularly from traditional buses. Another reason for this is the capacity of BRT to transport more passengers faster, in turn reducing fuel consumption and GHG emissions.

Take the BRT line in Guangzhou, China. Put into operation in 2010, the network was quickly adopted by around 1 million passengers every single day. An analysis after implementation reported that the BRT avoids the emission of 84,000 tonnes of CO² – and does so year after year. What’s more, electrifying the buses is estimated to nearly triple the emissions savings.

In fact, Guangzhou is a good example of wider transit-oriented street design. Essentially, a BRT line can be more than just a bus lane – each stop can be like a mobility hub. Alongside the BRT, Guangzhou also built over 20km of segregated cycle infrastructure, improved pedestrian pavements, and implemented a bike-sharing system with 100+ stations (which have the same branding as the BRT). And this has created a successful, multimodal network. Thanks to this and the introduction of e-bikes, bike trips across the city have risen 135% over the last decade.

Given the significance of buses around the globe, electric buses are a landmark of innovation in transportation. Electric buses produce zero emissions at tailpipe, are significantly quieter both inside and outside, and also ride much smoother. Because of this, clean buses are more accessible and attractive for passengers – and in turn, this plays a role in the acceptance of BRT systems.

Electrifying BRT also makes financial sense, which always helps! Electric buses require a bigger upfront cost than a diesel bus, for instance. But cheaper electricity costs mean that you will eventually make your money back. Given that BRT buses travel faster, the investment is also returned much faster. In other words, if you save money on every vehicle-kilometre travelled, then it’s better to rack in those kilometres fast and early! As well, dedicated infrastructure means less energy intensive stop-start driving, resulting in better energy efficiency.

BRT boosts road safety. Studies note that BRT networks in Latin America and India are linked to a 52% drop in fatalities and a 39% drop in injuries. That’s mainly because of:

• Better street and crossing design
• Dedicated pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure
• Improved driver behaviour from the elimination of on-street competition

BRT increases public transport ridership thanks to all of the reasons above! To provide just one example, when Richmond, USA built a BRT line in place of an existing bus route, ridership more than doubled. It should be no wonder why passengers prefer a mode of transport that avoids traffic, has dedicated station and stop infrastructure, and often is complemented by a wider multimodal network, like bike-sharing and better pavements.

On 27-29 November 2024, we celebrate in Curitiba, Brazil 50 years since the first BRT opened to the public. The event is not only a celebration of past achievements, but also a pivotal moment to connect with the global experts and professionals shaping the future of BRT and urban mobility.

Explore the event programme

The BRT transformation is global! UITP is also holding events on BRT and electric buses in Casablanca, Morocco and New Delhi, India. Discover the events below.