Bus Rapid Transit ready to take its place among the mainstream transport modes

The third annual conference of Bus Rapid Transit umbrella group BRT UK saw a focus on delivery. It heard how this mode of transport is increasingly being seen as a credible alternative to light rail schemes. Andrew Garnett reports

Nantes has taken conventional Mercedes Benz Citaro articulated buses and used branding to create a distinctive BRT vehicle for its BusWay network.

Nantes has taken conventional Mercedes Benz Citaro articulated buses and used branding to create a distinctive BRT vehicle for its BusWay network.

Delegates also heard how plans to introduce ftr (right) in Swansea are now well advanced

Delegates also heard how plans to introduce ftr (right) in Swansea are now well advanced

The third annual conference of bus rapid transit interest group BRT?UK, held in Cambridge last week, saw a focus on delivery and a clear emphasis by the group on what it can do in the future the promote the virtues of the mode, and perhaps more importantly, to define what BRT actually is.

Indeed this was the key question of the conference. As Bob Tebb, First’s operations technical manager and chair of BRT UK, said: “What is BRT??Is it a top end bus? Does it include quality bus...