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Bus Rapid Transit (BRT)
The first phase of Calgary Transit's BRT service began operation on August 30, 2004. Route 301 - BRT North / West now provides direct, limited stop downtown bus service for north and west Calgary communities. The service operates seven days a week with a frequency of 10 minutes during the weekdays peak periods and 30 minutes frequency at other times. See map
BRT operates in addition to existing feeder and express bus services and provides a faster bus service choice for residents living in the west and north central areas of Calgary.
Southwest BRT (April 2011)
Route 302 BRT Southeast/Downtown and Express Route Changes (December 2009)
New Southeast BRT, Express and Local Bus Services (May 2009)
Frequently Asked Questions
What is BRT?
BRT is a distinctive, frequent, and limited stop bus service, similar to LRT, (the CTrain). BRT is being introduced in advance of future LRT lines. BRT will operate on regular roads with transit priority at traffic signals and other enhanced service features such as improved passenger waiting areas and larger shelters at some stops. Eventually, Calgary Transit will operate larger capacity, articulated buses on BRT routes.
What Bus Stop Improvements Are Being Made?
New, larger shelters, benches and other bus stop improvements have been added to key BRT stops. This year, new red BRT shelters will be installed to replace older shelters along the BRT route.
What will happen to express bus service?
BRT is an additional service. For now, there are no plans to replace existing express bus services.
Will feeder service connect to the BRT?
Eventually, feeder bus services will be revised to provide direct service to BRT stops. Until BRT service is expanded to operate during all hours (including evenings and weekends) and BRT is more frequent, existing feeder bus routes will not change.
What is the fare for BRT?
Regular Calgary Transit fares apply. There is no premium.
What is Traffic Signal Priority?
Priority is provided for Calgary Transit buses at key intersections. This priority can be given in several ways:
- A "queue jump" is an early green signal given to a bus that has a separate bus-only lane at an intersection. This allows the bus get ahead of other traffic waiting at a red traffic signal.
- Buses are equipped with special "emitters" that tell traffic signals equipped with a "detector" that a bus is approaching. If the signal is nearing the end of its green cycle, the traffic signal may provide additional green time. If the signal for the approaching bus is red, the traffic signal may shorten the red signal time. The time either added or subtracted from the regular traffic signal timing is usually less than 20 seconds and has very little impact on the general operation of the intersection.
Do BRT buses get priority at traffic signals?
BRT buses and some other buses operating along the BRT routes now receive priority at traffic signals. BRT buses can request an extended green or shorter red traffic signal.
Are More BRT Routes Planned?
The Calgary Transportation Plan outlines the development of the Primary Transit Network (Section 3.3, page 28) that will provide a network of six LRT lines and a number of BRT routes in combination with other transit services that will combine to provide frequent, direct services during most of the day, 7 days per week. Calgary Transit is currently updating and refining a BRT Network Plan which will identify additional future BRT routes and the need for transit priority measures such as traffic signal priority, queue jumps and dedicated bus lanes along those routes. For the current draft of the BRT Network Plan for Calgary, see the following links.
2011-03 BRT Network Plan Attachment
2011-03 BRT Network Plan
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