Bus Rapid Transit is a proposed project that would put some new busses on the streets of Fresno. They're designed to move faster on major corridors, provide easier access for the disabled and have better kiosks for bus tickets. A computer simulation shows a longer, sleeker bus making a stop at Fresno City Hall. BRT would move faster north and south on Blackstone and east and west on Kings Canyon. Fresno has a
$50 million transportation grant to pay for it.
"What I like about the project, obviously it doesn't impact our general fund," said Fresno City Councilman Blong Xiong.
Xiong has supported the project since it was first introduced in the late 2000's. It's designed to improve our air quality and encourage infill growth. But radio ads leading up to Thursday's BRT public discussion, slam the project.
"All aboard the million dollar bus. Have you heard about the next boondoggle in Fresno?"
City Council President Steve Brandau says he too has concerns, including whether there's a need for BRT. The two routes would run in conjunction with regular FAX bus routes. He says in California, only 3% of people use public transportation.
"If we don't add any new riders, do we really pull people out of their cars? And if we don't, then we don't really help our air quality," said Brandau.
BRT would have a dedicated lane on Blackstone, but on Kings Canyon one would have to be created. He wonders how construction would impact businesses.
"I'm saying, lets step back from the ledge a little bit and look at some of these other things before we take the plunge on bus rapid transit," said Brandau.
If the project is approved by the council, we wouldn't notice any major changes for at least a year or two.