United States Government Publishing Office publisher pbl distributor dst United States Government Accountability Office author aut Government Organization text government publication eng GAOREPORTS Legislative Agency Publications gao legislative 2010-08-12 U.S. Government Printing Office 2003-06-24 monographic deposited born digital 19 p. GA 1.13:GAO-03-729T https://www.govinfo.gov/app/details/GAOREPORTS-GAO-03-729T P0b002ee18037c8d7 f:d03729t DGPO 2010-08-12 2011-03-24 GAOREPORTS-GAO-03-729T machine generated eng fdlp REPORT GAOREPORTS-GAO-03-729T GAO-03-729T Federal aid for transportation Mass transit funding Mass transit operations Strategic planning Transportation industry Transportation research Urban development programs FTA New Starts Program Testimony A06876 Buses form the backbone of the nation's mass transit systems. About 58 percent of all mass transit users take the bus, and even in many cities with extensive rail systems, more people ride the bus than take the train. In recent years, innovative Bus Rapid Transit systems have gained attention as an option for transit agencies to meet their mass transit needs. These systems are designed to provide major improvements in the speed, reliability, and quality of bus service through barrier-separated bus-ways, high-occupancy vehicle lanes, or reserved lanes or other enhancements on arterial streets. The characteristics of Bus Rapid Transit systems vary considerably, but may include (1) improved physical facilities or specialized structures such as dedicated rights-of-way; (2) operating differences such as fewer stops and higher speeds; (3) new equipment such as more advanced, quieter, and cleaner buses; and (4) new technologies such as more efficient traffic signalization and real-time information systems. This testimony, which updates a report GAO issued in September 2001, provides (1) information on federal support for Bus Rapid Transit systems and (2) an overview of factors affecting the selection of Bus Rapid Transit as a mass transit option. https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/GAOREPORTS-GAO-03-729T/html/GAOREPORTS-GAO-03-729T.htm https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/GAOREPORTS-GAO-03-729T/pdf/GAOREPORTS-GAO-03-729T.pdf GAO-03-729T https://www.govinfo.gov/app/details/GAOREPORTS-GAO-03-729T Testimony GAO-03-729T; Federal Transit Administration: Bus Rapid Transit Offers Communities a Flexible Mass Transit Option; Federal aid for transportation Mass transit funding Mass transit operations Strategic planning Transportation industry Transportation research Urban development programs FTA New Starts Program