Plans to improve public transportation with an enhanced bus system called Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) have been underway since the Provo-Orem Rapid Transit Corridor Alternatives Analysis was completed in 2005.
BRT is an innovative, high capacity, lower cost public transit solution that can significantly improve urban mobility by operating on bus lanes or other transit-ways to combine the flexibility of the buses and the speed of the rail.
Evaluation of the existing system by the Provo-Orem Rapid Transit, resulting in the Alternatives Analysis and BRT, took place during an 8-month period. The public’s involvement in the process was crucial and concerns were expressed through one-on-one interviews, open houses, Policy and Technical committees and several forums open to public comment.
This solution aims to support local, commuter and student trips and to link activity centers including Brigham Young University, Utah Valley University, existing and planned student housing and retail malls in the Provo-Orem area. Long-term plans include the linking of Utah County to Salt Lake County through a regional commuter rail line.
“BRT will definitely help keep accuracy in local bus times and help further improve the busing system in Orem/Provo,” said Todd Robbins, Junior at Utah Valley University and UTA bus rider. “I am really excited to have the routes be ‘expressed,’ as public transportation deserves a greater presence in Utah Valley culture.”
The estimated 8,000 Utah Valley University students who regularly use public transportation may feel the same way, as they could begin to see a more efficient commute to national, state and local areas.
For more information regarding the project, to give feedback, or to join the mailing list, please visit the project web site at www.provo-oremrapidtransit.info
