The editorial "Long story short," Feb. 10, raised an old question about bringing light rail to the Capital Region to minimize our nagging Northway congestion issues.
We all have wish lists, but it's time to be realistic about what's feasible and practical given our size, population and development patterns. We agree that more can be done to alleviate congestion and we think we have the answer — Bus Rapid Transit.
We have been operating a Bus Rapid Transit system along Route 5 for more than 18 months. Customer and public reaction have been fantastic. Ridership on the corridor is up 20 percent and the Bus Rapid Transit features, its infrastructure and its image have changed the way people think of public transit. It's fast, clean and efficient. It looks like rail, it feels like rail, and it is stimulating conversations about development along the corridor and at specific station locations.
Look at Schenectady County Community College and its decision to locate a satellite campus in downtown Albany. Bus Rapid Transit was a motivating factor.
We are working on plans for two new Bus Rapid Transit corridors, and we can't move fast enough. New systems will be developed along the River Corridor to connect Albany, Watervliet, Troy and Cohoes. A second system will connect downtown Albany, the Harriman Office Complex, UAlbany and Crossgates Mall. When completed, three lines will stretch across 40 miles without one mile of billion-dollar track being laid or a minute of construction disruption.
Such service can be successful on the Northway, or perhaps on Route 9, to better connect Saratoga and Albany counties. This can be done at a fraction of the cost of light rail, minimizing congestion, moving people faster and smarter and giving customers the amenities of rail while riding on a bus.
We appreciate the support for transit, but we have a different question — Anyone for more Bus Rapid Transit?
DENISE FIGUEROA
Board Chairwoman
Capital District Transportation Authority
Albany