Yeah, this is in L.A., but in some ways we face similar challenges of having lower densities that make first class transit a bigger challenge to provide.  Besides, it seems better to put some of this type of stuff in place before our freeways grow any more monstrous and congested, rather than after, as L.A. has done.

Green Wheels will be hosting a Caltrans webinar on Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) this Tuesday at the Northcoast Environmental Center. Snacks will be provided!

Bus Rapid Transit is a suite of strategies to deliver a bus transit system on par with light rail in terms of travel speeds, but more frequent and feasible for lower population densities. Examples of this type of system include Eugene’s EMX, and TransMilenio in Bogota. Come learn about this approach to bus transport and join a discussion of how some of these strategies might be applied here in Humboldt.

Please RSVP so we can plan the right quantity of snacks!

Here’s an outline of what the webinar will cover:

From the Schatz Energy Lecture Series:

February 19, HSU Campus, BSS 166
"The Future of Public Transport - In Pursuit of Zero Emissions"
Jaimie Levin is the Director of Alternative Fuels Policy and Marketing for the Alameda-Contra Costa Transit District (AC Transit), which carries 227,000 people each weekday (67 million people annually) on 105 transit lines in the San Francisco Bay Area. AC Transit primarily serves 13 cities in the East Bay, including Oakland and Berkeley, and operates commuter bus service across three transbay bridges to San Francisco and Peninsula cities.

Some of you may already be familiar with the website: http://www.bartrage.com/. If not, you should definitely spend some time and read through the rants people post about this San Francisco rapid transit system. Its not only amusing but would make a great model for a site we could have for HTA, etc. Sure, we don't have wifi access around every corner so its harder to blog on the fly but it might be a fun way to vent and see what types of experiences other users are having. Who knows? We might even get a clearer idea of what the actual problems really are. At least from the points of view of those who own computers and have access to internet. All those other people? Well, they're probably forced to ride the bus anyway:)