Latest news with #BusRapidTransit
CTV News
4 days ago
- Politics
- CTV News
City council punts College Drive rapid transit decision, again
WATCH: Saskatoon city administration is going back to drawing board over a crucial stretch of the upcoming Bas Rapid Transit corridor. A crucial stretch of Link, Saskatoon's upcoming bus rapid transit program, is being delayed for a second time. Councillors asked administrators to provide some additional information and options during its regular business meeting on Wednesday, after delaying a previous approval last month so city staff could answer lingering questions. Despite answering those questions and recommending councillors approve the concept plan, the city's elected officials voted to explore more options. They're calling for more information, including the implications of not removing the College Drive pedestrian overpass, and installing the latest available real-time technology to shorten the wait time for vehicles waiting to turn left at a traffic light. 'I'm always of the view that when we do big things, we have to make sure we get them as right as we can,' Ward 10 Coun. Zach Jeffries said after presenting a series of motions. Link is expected to revamp the transit network and have more buses moving quickly across major routes. One of the most crucial routes will be on College Drive. To accommodate Link, plenty of construction is being proposed by administration. That includes medians being replaced with one dedicated bus lane travelling in each direction. Traffic would be reduced to two lanes in either direction from Preston Avenue to Clarence Avenue, and a series of Link platform stations would be installed along College Drive. Last month, the city's transportation committee approved a series of changes to the original plan, which included having buses moving in the same direction as traffic, as opposed to contraflow, and replacing the College Drive pedestrian overpass with a street-level crossing. Councillors previously had issues with eastbound traffic on College Drive trying to turn northbound on Preston Avenue where long lines in the turning lane routinely back up traffic. In a verbal update, Terry Schmidt, the general manager of transportation and construction, told councillors plans to mitigate bottlenecks is ongoing. Another concern was the traffic data, which hasn't been updated on the route since 2018. Despite Saskatoon's population growing by roughly the population of Prince Albert over the last seven years, Schmidt estimated traffic would be slowed by just three minutes, as listed in the report. 'With the higher traffic volumes today, the travel time may increase a few minutes to be closer or more consistent to the three-minute increase for the width flow design,' Schmidt said. Ward 3 Coun. Rob Pearce also raised concerns about the three-metre width and 42 metre length of the platforms that will be placed near campus where the medians are now. Administration says each platform can accommodate up to 200 people. However, Pearce wondered how people will freely move with a concrete retaining wall, in addition to signage, shelters and exits only on the ends. 'I'm concerned about the safety of people trying to get onto that platform,' he said. Schmidt replied by saying an identical design in Calgary has worked well. An update will be back before either the transportation committee or the regular business meeting this summer.
Middle East
6 days ago
- General
- Middle East
Cabinet Media Center: Bus Rapid Transit represents significant shift in smart transportation solutions
CAIRO, June 23 (MENA) - The Cabinet's Media Center said Monday the new Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project represents a paradigm shift in Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS), reflecting integration of advanced mobility solutions that enhance efficiency, safety and environmental sustainability in public transport. It also reaffirmed the State's commitment to providing safe, integrated public transit that enhances mobility for citizens, particularly in view of the significant progress achieved in Egypt's transport sector in recent years. Director of the BRT Project at the Transport Ministry Mahmoud el-Sheikh said in a video published by the Cabinet's Media Center on its social media platforms that the project represents one of the sustainable public transport systems being implemented for the first time in Egypt. Its route has been designed to extend over 113 kilometers, covering all major areas and intersections along the Ring Road, said the project's director. It aims to streamline passenger movement along the Ring Road in a modern and efficient manner, enabling the transport of the largest possible number of passengers in the shortest time, he added. He also said the project is being implemented over three phases, with the trial operation of the first phase already underway, extending from the Ring Road's intersection with the Alexandria Agricultural Road to the Police Academy station in New Cairo. This phase serves densely populated areas and major junctions, including the Alexandria Agricultural Road, the Suez Road and the Ismailia Desert Road - thereby providing an efficient transport service to Greater Cairo commuters arriving from various governorates, according to the project director, the project's director said. He explained that the station selection was based on criteria designed to ensure the project's integration with existing public transport networks, including Cairo Metro Line 2 at Shubra El-Kheima, Line 1 at El-Marg and Adly Mansour central interchange station. This contributes to improving the overall efficiency of the transport network and expanding service coverage to broader segments of the population, he added. Several citizens praised the project, affirming that it represents a qualitative leap in public transport services by offering comfortable travel, reduced waiting times, punctual operations and a high level of service quality. They also expressed satisfaction with the onboard safety standards and the affordability of ticket prices across various passenger segments, factors that promote greater reliance on this modern mode of transport as a practical and convenient alternative to traditional systems. (MENA) R R N/S A S
Express Tribune
22-06-2025
- Express Tribune
Peshawar buckles under urban sprawl
Once celebrated as the "City of Flowers", Peshawar now struggles to live up to its poetic title. The air that once carried the sweet scent of blooming apricots and the gentle rustle of orchard leaves now hangs heavy with dust, smoke, and the cacophony of honking horns. A city that was once admired for its natural beauty and cultural richness has descended into chaos, a casualty of unchecked population growth, political apathy, and haphazard urban development. Peshawar's transformation began in earnest during the 1980s, when the Soviet-Afghan war sent a huge influx of refugees across the border into Pakistan. Many of them settled in and around Peshawar, altering the city's demographic landscape. In the following decades, Peshawar became the preferred refuge for internally displaced persons from the tribal belt, who were fleeing military operations, insurgency, and insecurity. Over time, the refugee camps evolved into permanent neighborhoods, and the temporary shelters turned into sprawling, unregulated settlements. The resultant population boom has been relentless. According to the 2023 Digital Census, the population of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa reached 40.8 million, up from 35.5 million in 2017: an increase of 5.3 per cent in just six years. While the majority, 34 million, still reside in rural areas, the urban population has swelled dramatically. Peshawar alone grew from 4.3 million in 2017 to 4.7 million in 2023, at an annual growth rate of 1.5 per cent. For Peshawar, the results of this rapid urbanization are visible in every corner. The roads, once adequate for a smaller population, are now choked with vehicles. According to Chief Traffic Officer Haroon Rashid, over 500,000 vehicles ply the city's roads daily. Despite the introduction of the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system in 2020, locals' heavy reliance on illegal rickshaws, unregistered vehicles, and a lack of public discipline continue to worsen road congestion and deteriorate air quality. Dr Rashid Rehman, an urban infrastructure specialist at the University of Engineering and Technology (UET) Peshawar, believed the city was facing a systemic failure. "Urban development continues to expand horizontally, devouring agricultural land and pushing the city's boundaries into rural areas. The lack of long-term strategic planning and zoning regulation is responsible for the chaos. High-rise buildings, for instance, could reduce the strain on land and services, but most housing schemes continue to promote large, detached homes. Weak enforcement of building codes has led to the construction of commercial plazas and residential complexes without adequate parking, water supply, or waste disposal systems," highlighted Dr Rehman. K-P's Minister for Local Government and Rural Development, Arshad Ayub, acknowledged the city's growing pains but insisted that efforts were being made to improve conditions. "Five new flyovers are under construction and the Ring Road will be expanded to divert traffic from the city center. The upcoming provincial budget includes significant allocations for urban development in Peshawar, including the procurement of new buses for the BRT system and stricter regulations for commercial and residential construction," claimed Ayub. However, critics argued that such projects were reactive rather than proactive. Environmentalists warned that the loss of green spaces was not just a cosmetic issue but a threat to public health and ecological balance. Peshawar has lost many of its parks and orchards to unregulated construction due to which tree cover in the city has declined sharply. The sense of loss is palpable among older residents, who remember a very different city. Haji Tahir Khan, a 60-year-old shopkeeper in Saddar Bazaar, recalled a time when the city was not only cleaner but also more livable. "We had space to breathe, walk, and sit under a tree," he said. "Now, even finding a parking spot is a daily struggle. The roads are full, the air is dirty, and the water is getting scarce. Is this the progress we were promised?"
The Citizen
18-06-2025
- Politics
- The Citizen
Mounting frustration as BRT project lags
The metro is facing growing frustration over the prolonged delays with the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Line 2B expansion along Lynnwood Road. Both residents and councillors are raising the alarm about the sluggish progress. Line 2B of the A Re Yeng system starts at the N1 interchange on Atterbury Road, runs down Atterbury into Lynnwood Road and continues to Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Arcadia. The route is seen as a vital link for east-west commuters, connecting suburbs, schools, universities, and business districts. Ward councillor Siobhan Muller said the project, which was supposed to be completed in November 2024, appears to be going 'backwards' rather than moving forward. According to Muller, the physical building of the project began in 2023. 'For the last three months, it hasn't just stagnated; it's been going in reverse,' Muller said. 'There are ripple effects for everyone, from people trying to access the University of Pretoria to those commuting along Lynnwood Road or dropping children off at nearby schools.' She said the construction delays were being compounded by issues around land expropriation, service relocations, and requests for project extensions. 'This project was meant to ease traffic and benefit the city, but we are now in June and nowhere near completion. It urgently needs to move faster.' Echoing her concerns, DA councillor Dikeledi Selowa criticised the metro administration, calling the repeated delays a failure in governance. 'This project is only at 61% completion, even after a six-month extension,' Selowa said. 'It is clear that this administration has failed to properly finalise the expropriation process and relocation of services, leaving Tshwane exposed to potential legal action.' According to Tshwane spokesperson Lindela Mashigo, the metro has now set a revised completion date of July 18. However, he said the Roads and Transport Department is reviewing a report submitted by the project consultant, requesting yet another extension. Mashigo identified the key causes of delay as land expropriation challenges and slow progress by the contractor. He confirmed the current overall project progress at 62%, with some sections more advanced than others: – King's Highway culvert section: 83% – Culvert upgrade: 90% – Justice Mahomed intersection: 96% – Lynnwood and Atterbury intersection: 46.8% – University and Roper intersection: 25% When asked about the status of land acquisition and service relocation, Mashigo said the expropriation process has been concluded. 'The city is currently processing compensation payments and negotiating remaining agreements.' ALSO READ: Tshwane energy summit pushes for small nuclear reactors as future power solution Do you have more information about the story? Please send us an email to bennittb@ or phone us on 083 625 4114. For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord's websites: Rekord East For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram or TikTok. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading! Stay in the know. Download the Caxton Local News Network App Stay in the know. Download the Caxton Local News Network App here
GMA Network
17-06-2025
- Business
- GMA Network
DOTr eyes España-Quezon Avenue busway system
The Department of Transportation (DOTr) is eyeing to replicate the EDSA Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) System or EDSA Busway model in other major thoroughfares in Metro Manila, particularly España Boulevard in Manila and Quezon Avenue in Quezon City. 'We need more of those (BRTs),' Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon said at the Economic Journalists Association of the Philippines (EJAP) Infrastructure Forum in Makati City. 'To me, the most viable and the most needed one is España to Quezon Avenue. That is very important. Busway [at] España, Quezon Avenue. That is going to be very viable…That's wide enough for a busway,' Dizon said. The Transportation chief said there are currently no buses serving commuters, especially students, in the España-Quezon Avenue stretch. 'We're doing FS (feasibility study) now,' he said, adding tthat the completion of the study would be 'hopefully next year.' Asked if the España-Quezon Avenue Busway will be operates by the private sector, Dizon said, 'I think we have to do it government muna…then we'll privatize the O&M (operations and maintenance).' 'It is not difficult to build. Kita mo naman [EDSA] Busway, pandemic lang ginawa nun,' he added. — BAP, GMA Integrated News
