Quote:
Originally Posted by taffeyb
The more I think about it, the optimal solution would be to pave over the existing tracks and use buses instead of LRT cars on the right of ways.
1) no need to spend dollars to have raised platforms and overpasses;
2) breakdowns with any particular bus would not impede the buses behind it;
3) easier to add capacity or reduce capacity;
4) travel time basically the same;
5) no special training for drivers
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Ignoring the cost of changing the system over for the time being:
The LRT will soon be running 4 car trains, each capable of holding 1000 people, and run at every five minutes during rush hour. A 60' articulated bus holds 100 people, so to achieve the same capacity, you would have to run a bus every 30 seconds. You would also need to pay 10 bus drivers instead of 1 LRT driver. Operating costs would skyrocket, paying for the maintenance and fuel on all those busses. 30 second headways would mean that you would have to grade separate the whole line, otherwise crossing arms for cross streets would never go up during rush hour.
Essentially, you would be spending billions of dollars to convert the system, a billion dollars every year EXTRA in operating costs, only to have a worse system.