BRT newsLane
This bi-monthly electronic publication is funded by the FTA. It highlights progress and activities of importance to the BRT community. A free subscription to the publication is available via the internet at: http://www.calstart.org/programs/brt/brt_newslaneform.php

Bus Rapid Transit Web Site
This FTA-sponsored web sites presents extensive background information on BRT. Located at http://www.fta.dot.gov/7639_7662_ENG_HTML.htm,  the site includes a reference guide that provides a detailed description of BRT features.

Examples of BRT in Operation in the Americas

Innovative Service Design among Bus Rapid Transit Systems in the Americas. R. Diaz & D. Schneck
Provides short case studies of BRT in Quito, Porto Alegre, Vancouver, Montreal, Ottawa, and Curitiba.
Source: APTA 2000 Bus & Paratransit Conference Proceedings paper. Click here for .pdf file.

Los Angeles

Metro Rapid and Orange Line. (Los Angeles County MTA) Metro Rapid operates nine lines, and is expected to expand to 28 lines by 2008. Metro Rapid includes bus priority at traffic signals, "interval-based" operation, and level boarding on new low-floor buses, all of which operate on compressed natural gas. Buses arrive as often as every 3-10 minutes in peak hours. Metro Rapid buses board passengers at stations spaced approximately 0.8 miles apart. Each Metro Rapid bus is equipped with a transponder which controls traffic signals to allow a Metro Rapid bus to continue through many intersections without stopping.The Orange Line 14-mile long transitway connecting the Metro Red Line subway to San Fernando Valley communities opened in October 2005. It utilizes thirty 60-foot 57-passenger NABI buses with rail-like amenities and stations.
Web site: http://www.mta.net/projects_programs/rapid/rapid.htm
Source: : Passenger Transport, June 28, 2004, page 1. Available on the APTA web site at:
http://www.apta.com/research/info/briefings/documents/metrorapid_PT.pdf

Boston

Silver Line. (MBTA)  The first section of the Silver Line began operation in July, 2002. It combines dedicated BRT lanes above ground and exclusive tunnels below ground. The Silver Line operates 60-foot dual-mode CNG articulated vehicles tracked by a global positioning system, and include smart kiosks providing real time bus arrival information at all stations. Buses arrive at 5-6 minute intervals. When completed in 2010, the Silver Line will extend to Boston's Logan Airport and will transport an estimated 60,000 riders daily.
Web site: http://www.allaboutsilverline.com

Pittsburgh

West Busway. (Port Authority of Allegheny County) Complementing the South Busway (1977) and the East Busway (1983), the West Busway is a 5-mile long exclusive bus right-of-way. Constructed along an abandoned railroad right-of-way, it has six ADA-accessible stations with 24-hour lighting, and will include six park-and-ride lots with over 2,500 spaces. The West Busway, opened in September, 2000 and serves approximately 40,000 riders per week.