Ottawa Bus Crowding - Slater and Kent (2009-09-30)

[joemccormick]

I don't understand how it would be that crowded? They have designated bus lines that no other traffic is allowed to drive in. I used to live in Ottawa and I thought there bus system was great.

[MrStriter]

It would be nice to bring Enrique Peñalosa to Ottawa and get his opinion regarding the organization of the Ottawa Transit system.  He is the one that implemented TransMilenio and the Bike Path system in Bogota that have made this city a reference for the world.

[MattJFisher]

In a way, this could make sense. I do think, however, that Peñalosa will use this as a forum to say, "See? Rail is just too expensive. Ottawa should continue to use buses. A bus can be as good as rail". Ottawa is the capital of Canada, not Colombia. I wish people would understand.

I am, however, against "mode wars" between bus and rail. I believe BRT can complement LRT, and vice versa. I am still against the marketing of BRT as a substitute for rail.

[macrocec]

@MattJFisher I think youre mistaken. I lived in mexico city, they have a very good BRT system there, the only think is that sometimes its kind of crowded. which wouldnt be a problem at all in ottawa. Now I live in edmonton and sometimes I really miss Mexico's city metrobus. And why did I say youre mistaken? becasue there are not mode wars at all. Mexico city is building another metro line and many metrobus lines, calgary and edmonton are also in the same track. Modes can and do coexist!!

[MattJFisher]

@macrocec Yes, after some time and unbiased evaluation of my views, I have decided I am now mistaken, and you are right. I think rail in Ottawa is more likely to complement BRT rather than replace it. There are no mode wars in Mexico City anyway. Besides, I think cities should give BRT a chance, even if a rail line is sacrificed for a busway.

[boond007a]

This video seems to show nothing

[MattJFisher]

Oh, uh, well, you have a point. It could be that my digital camera I shot the video with lacks the sound capabilities. It could be the fact that when I filmed it, the battery was low. I just don't know. Thank you for commenting.