Implement Bus Priority Corridors as a First Step Toward Bus Rapid Transit
Dear County Executive Leggett and Council President Ervin:
Action Committee for Transit has been following with interest the county’s study for a rapid transit network. We would expect that such a system, if designed to the standards that are being contemplated, would be a tremendous asset to the county – it would provide swift, frequent and reliable service and attract many new riders. This project, once implemented, could be a game-changer for how people move from home to work to shopping and entertainment. Unfortunately, we’ve earned a nationwide reputation for road congestion – this rapid transit project could spell “relief.” So let’s make sure that it’s not another good plan that ends up on the shelf (e.g., plans like the North Bethesda Transitway and the Georgia Avenue busway).
Given the magnitude of this project and the shortage of money for transportation, it will have to be implemented in several stages. While phased implementation may be an integral part of the plan, we can start laying the groundwork today. The first phase of bringing rapid transit to Montgomery County must be full operation of the bus priority corridors that WMATA began planning three years ago. Implementation of this valuable regional initiative has already begun, but Montgomery County has lagged behind other jurisdictions (DC has implemented bus lanes and signal priority). We propose the following steps be taken without delay:
- Fully fund the service and capital bus priority recommendations included in WMATA's recently completed New Hampshire Avenue and Veirs Mill Road studies; and fund the remaining corridor studies as soon as they are finished. If county funds are insufficient, include bus priority corridors in our state transportation priority letter and make clear that it has a higher priority than currently programmed road widening and interchanges.
- Reverse the policy that forbids signal priorities for buses and implement signal priorities at all intersections where recommended by WMATA bus planners. Participate in upcoming WMATA procurements of signal priority equipment.
- Immediately designate bus-only lanes on Georgia Avenue near the Beltway, a very congested section.
Rollout of the comprehensive rapid transit system is years away. However, the WMATA bus priority corridors (distinct from the rapid transit study initiative), if fully implemented, will give thousands of riders an early sample of the rapid transit system. Success will build needed public support for the full network. If, on the other hand, the county is unable to summon the political will to make bus priority corridors happen quickly, then it would be fair for others to doubt our commitment. By demonstrating our commitment to bus priorities, we set the stage that may encourage financing for our county’s rapid transit system.
I look forward to continuing to work with you on this initiative that can mean so much to thousands of transit riders.
Sincerely,
Tina Slater
Action Committee for Transit, President