Bus vs Train
A common belief is that sophisticated Montgomery County residents won’t take a bus. Sure, they’ll take metro downtown, but Bus Rapid Transit? Many think it’ll never happen.
According to this article on City Lab, the reality is different than the prevailing assumptions. One study showed that quality of service matters most, not the type of transport. Great service on a Rapid Transit System with a dedicated lane will attract riders. Another study demonstrated that when you ask people what features they prefer in a transportation system, light rail exhibits no advantage over BRT.
What does this mean? If the Montgomery County Rapid Transit System offers fast, attractive, reliable service, people will use it Of course, smart marketing will also be critical, but heck, if marketers can make kale a desirable veggie, they can certainly sell the many benefits of a sleek, modern, bus-centered transit system.
Ms. Miller
This raises some interesting questions:
(1) How will this bus system be any different than what ride on or metro currently offer?
(2) Will price point be lower than the other transportation offerings?
(3) How will a pedestrian be able to get to the medians of the highways (right now it is kind of dangerous to walk across Rockville Pike or Old Georgetown?
(4) What stops would this bus system compared to ride on and metro?
(5) How much would the citizens of Mo Co be subsidizing in taxes in order to offer this system?
(6) Would the various jurisdictions take more responsibility shoveling the sidewalks? (For example, I notice neighbors do their part shoveling the intersections they are in charge of—However, cities are abysmal in shoveling the areas that gov’t is in charge of)