May 31, 2023 Formal Meeting  

• Formal Agenda Packet​​
• Formal Results ​

May 17, 2023 Transportation, Infrastructure, and Planning Subcommittee  

• TIP Agenda Packet​​

April 27, 2023 Citizens Transportation Commission  

April 11, 2023 and April 13, 2023 BRT Pop-Up Events  

April 4, 2023 Virtual Public Meeting  

March 21, 2023 and March 28, 2023 In-Person Public Meetings 

Answer: BRT, or bus rapid transit, is a modern, high capacity bus network that improves travel speed and reliability, passenger capacity, and the customer experience through various available transit enhancements. BRT uses specialized buses with multiple doors for fast entry and exit, an off-board fare payment system, and level platform boarding, making it easier for people of all abilities to efficiently access the system. It can also include priority treatment at signalized intersections to increase speed and reliability and may include dedicated bus lanes in some areas to facilitate faster trips.  ​

Answer: There is no universal standard for BRT, as it is planned and designed to best meet the needs of the community. Phoenix BRT program elements may include:

• ​Custom buses and enhanced bus stations with level boarding

• Off-board fare payment; for example, purchase fares on your phone or at a kiosk, instead of paying as you board the bus

• Unique branding
  

• Transit spot improvements such as traffic signal priority for buses at intersections

• Dedicated bus lanes for BRT vehicles
  

Answer: Transportation 2050, a comprehensive transportation plan crafted and approved by Phoenix voters, included bus rapid transit as a key element of the plan. BRT provides a valuable new “tool" in the mobility toolbox, adding to the metropolitan area's comprehensive transportation system in a way that complements and enhances it, and increasing the number of transportation options we have in Phoenix. The 35^th Avenue/Van Buren BRT corridor currently has some of the highest transit ridership in the city. The need for priority bus investment is well documented, as traveling “across the grid" in Phoenix can be very time consuming. Implementing BRT will be a major improvement to Phoenix's grid-based transit network.

Answer: Local bus operates in local traffic, subject to the same congestion delays as that traffic. BRT can – and typically does – include a variety of elements that allow it to operate more efficiently through traffic congestion. Some of these elements include dedicated travel lanes and transit spot improvements like queue jump lanes (allowing BRT a head start at an intersection) and transit signal priority (adjusting red or green light timing to better accommodate BRT). These elements help to make BRT about 20 to 25 percent faster than local bus service – a big difference in travel time.

Answer: A queue jump is used to provide preference to buses at intersections. It consists of an additional lane at an intersection, accompanied by its own traffic signal, allowing buses to merge smoothly back into the regular through lanes; giving buses a head start over other traffic. For more information about queue jumps, visit the Transit Street Design Guide.

Answer: Transit Signal Priority (TSP) is a technology that allows BRT vehicles to communicate with traffic signals within the designated BRT corridor. TSP can help vehicles move more quickly through the corridor and increase transit reliability via two methods:

• ​Extended Green: When a BRT vehicle is approaching a green signal that is about to turn yellow, it may request that the signal's green phase be extended by a few seconds to allow the vehicle to travel the intersection. 

• Early Green: Likewise, a BRT vehicle approaching a red signal that is about to turn green may request that the signal turn green slightly early so that the vehicle can get through the intersection.​
  

Answer: RAPID and Express routes operate on freeways and utilize the High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lanes whenever possible. RAPID and Express routes provide service in the morning and again in the evening, during the traditional commuter “rush" hours. Each has a limited number of stops that are near the beginning and end of a particular route.  

BRT provides high-capacity bus service that can operate throughout the day on major roads, and features transit enhancements that improve travel speed, transit frequency, passenger capacity, and the overall customer experience.

Answer: There are many benefits of BRT for a fast-growing city like Phoenix, which include:

• Faster and more frequent service. BRT is often 20 to 25 percent faster than local bus service.
• Increased cost efficiency. BRT can reduce operating costs by stopping less often, thus increasing the travel speed of the vehicle. This reduces the number of vehicles needed to adhere to headways (or frequencies) on a route.
• Reduced travel delays. BRT can benefit transit users by removing the bus from mixed traffic in congested areas and keep passengers moving.
  

Answer: BRT is funded through the City of Phoenix voter-approved Transportation 2050 (T2050) plan. 
  

Answer: The cost of BRT can vary widely and is ultimately determined by the level of investment in BRT elements. We are just getting started on designing Phoenix's first BRT corridor of 35th Ave and Van Buren Street​ and exact costs have not yet been determined. While there is no universal standard for BRT, costs will depend on options such as station design, transit spot improvements and dedicated lanes.   
  

Answer: BRT provides improved accessibility for passengers of all abilities including features such as level boarding, enhanced passenger amenities at stations, more doors on the bus for better entry and exit and more room for circulation within buses and on station platforms.   
  

Answer: BRT systems can be found in over 160 cities worldwide with dozens more under construction across the country.  Some cities include:

• Las Vegas, Nevada 
• Los Angeles, California   
  
• Cleveland, Ohio 
• Albuquerque, New Mexico 
• Kansas City, Missouri 
• Minneapolis, Minneso​ta  
• Seattle, Washington 
• Omaha, Nebraska
• Provo-Orem, Utah​​
• Houston, Texas ​​
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Answer: In October 2021, the Phoenix City Council unanimously approved 35th Avenue and Van Buren Street as the first BRT corridor in Phoenix. In April 2022, Phoenix City Council unanimously approved the BRT Program to continue community and stakeholder engagement, alternatives analysis, and 15%  design plans for the initial BRT corridor of 35th Avenue and Van Buren Street. ​(Map​​​) 

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Answer: The selected corridor was identified through a tr​ansit analysis process and an 11-month city-wide outreach process which included:

• Transit analysis maps
• Social media
• Program webpage (www.phoenix.gov/brt)
• Project fact sheet
• Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
• “BRT 101" videos
• Online meeting webpage (MeetPhoenixBRT.com)
• In-person/virtual meetings with all 15 City of Phoenix Village Planning Committees
• In-person/virtual meetings with community groups
• News releases and television programs
• Live virtual public meetings
• Shape Your BRT survey

Ultimately, based on your input and results from our analysis, we identified 35th Avenue and Van Buren Street as the first BRT corridor as it provides high ridership, good geographic coverage, and connects the existing ​and future transit networks in Phoenix (particularly future light rail extensions in Phoenix).

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Answer: As the Phoenix BRT corridor development is still in early design phases, impacts to concurrent studies or projects is unknown at this time. However, the BRT team is closely coordinating with all seven projects within the BRT corridor to develop solutions that best meet the needs of our community. For more information on concurrent projects and studies, visit their webpages below or connect with their project team:

• City of Phoenix 35th Avenue BUILD Grant
  
• City of Phoenix 35th Avenue Improvements 
• Central Station Development
  
• City of Phoenix /Valley Metro Metrocenter Transit Center
• ADOT Grand 35 Study
• Valley Metro West Phoenix HCT AA
• Valley Metro CapEx and 10 West LRT

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Answer: The Phoenix BRT team is currently in early design, developing alternatives for the selected BRT corridor. We anticipate that construction activities for this corridor would begin in 2026.

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Answer: As the corridor is still in early design phases, specific business impacts are unknown at this time. However, the Phoenix BRT team will work with businesses directly along the corridor to understand concerns and any unknown considerations that may help inform corridor design. If you are a business along the 35^th Avenue and Van Buren Street Corridor and looking for ways to get involved and stay connected, visit MeetPhoenixBRT.com and sign up to be added to our stakeholder list. Be sure to include your business name so we can add you directly to our business stakeholder list.   ​

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Answer: BRT can accommodate bicycles, either on racks on the front of the bus or racks/hangers inside of each bus. Bicycle storage features will be determined once the BRT buses are selected. In addition, BRT typically offers locations to secure bicycles at or adjacent to the station.    ​

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Answer: As we are still early in the design process, the inclusion of bike lanes along the corridor has not been decided. However, in the current design stage, the team is analyzing multiple BRT options both with and without bike lanes to determine impacts on the surrounding environment (such as right of way needed). Ultimately, our priority is to create a safe and accessible environment for the community that promotes connection.   ​

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Answer: Pedestrian facilities will be included in the design of BRT corridor as the team is dedicated to creating a safe and accessible environment for pedestrians that promotes convenient travel connections.  

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Answer: As the project is still in early design stages, impacts to the surrounding community are unknown at this time. During the design process, we will be evaluating multiple BRT options and impacts of each to determine a BRT option that meets the community's needs, is feasible within the corridor, and aligns with the priorities for developing BRT on this corridor. The five priorities for this corridor include:

• Develop a “showcase" BRT corridor
• Support meaningful and equitable community engagement
• Collaborate with concurrent projects
• Improve travel time and reliability
• Provide safe and accessible multimodal connections
  

Answer: Yes. The existing bus service, Route 3 on Van Buren Street and Route 35 on 35th Avenue, will continue to operate as additional service to the new BRT system.  
  

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