At the risk of sounding boastful, there’s an accomplishment we want to tell you about. York Region’s Bus Rapid Transit [BRT] system is a bronze medalist. That’s right. We’re up there on the podium with some of the world’s best rapid transit, and along with Ottawa, we’re one of only two systems in Canada to be recognized.
York Region was awarded a Bronze certification from the Institute for Transportation and Development Policy [ITDP], based on the “BRT Standard,” an evaluation tool developed by ITDP for world-class transit, based on international best practices.
The BRT Standard establishes the basic elements needed for BRT [dedicated lanes, off-board fare payment, intersection treatments and level boarding], and recognizes particularly high-quality corridors with Bronze, Silver or Gold rankings. ITDP looks at both design and performance, and since YRRTC designed York Region’s system and YRT operates it, we worked together to achieve this certification.
What’s the difference between Bronze, Silver and Gold? Bronze is consistent with most international best practices, and has some operational efficiencies or quality of service that elevate it above the BRT basics. Silver has the same elements, but is generally for higher-demand corridors, and Gold meets almost all best practices, and has the highest operational performance and quality of service.
ITDP specifically certified the Highway 7 corridor this time [for evaluation, there needs to be at least 3km of dedicated lanes], but in future as more of York Region’s BRT segments connect, we may invite them back to evaluate the elements of the connected system.
As York Region’s BRT system continues to expand, access to high-order transit and attractive streetscapes attracts new businesses and jobs, and gives people new options and opportunities. So the takeaway here is more than a medal. It’s the possibility of what’s to come.