Comments on: Streetfilms: Parisian Bus Rapid Transit http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/09/29/streetfilms-parisian-bus-rapid-transit/ Covering the New York City Streets Renaissance Mon, 23 Nov 2009 18:29:09 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8 hourly 1 By: Louis http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/09/29/streetfilms-parisian-bus-rapid-transit/comment-page-1/#comment-58834 Louis Wed, 12 Nov 2008 16:30:03 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/?p=4666#comment-58834 The checkered design on bus lanes, are not used for the bus lane proper. They run through intersections, to show cars either to not use that lane, or to watch for a bus. The checkered design on bus lanes, are not used for the bus lane proper. They run through intersections, to show cars either to not use that lane, or to watch for a bus.

]]> By: Kaid Benfield http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/09/29/streetfilms-parisian-bus-rapid-transit/comment-page-1/#comment-57153 Kaid Benfield Thu, 02 Oct 2008 19:10:15 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/?p=4666#comment-57153 Apologies for screwing up the link in my post above. Anyone interested in my blog can go <a href="http://switchboard.nrdc.org/blogs/kbenfield/" rel="nofollow">here</a>. Apologies for screwing up the link in my post above. Anyone interested in my blog can go here.

]]> By: Kaid Benfield http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/09/29/streetfilms-parisian-bus-rapid-transit/comment-page-1/#comment-57151 Kaid Benfield Thu, 02 Oct 2008 19:07:15 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/?p=4666#comment-57151 Excellent film, which I am happy to feature on <a href="http://full.url.here" rel="nofollow">my own blog</a> on smart development and community at NRDC. We need more examples like this to point the way. Can it be replicated everywhere in the US, in its entirety? Maybe not. Can we learn from it? Absolutely. Excellent film, which I am happy to feature on my own blog on smart development and community at NRDC. We need more examples like this to point the way. Can it be replicated everywhere in the US, in its entirety? Maybe not. Can we learn from it? Absolutely.

]]> By: andrew r. http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/09/29/streetfilms-parisian-bus-rapid-transit/comment-page-1/#comment-56990 andrew r. Tue, 30 Sep 2008 20:05:38 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/?p=4666#comment-56990 I see a checker pattern on the street. I think that type of street painting may work better on 34th street for signifying that is a "special" lane for buses only. I see a checker pattern on the street. I think that type of street painting may work better on 34th street for signifying that is a "special" lane for buses only.

]]> By: Alek F http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/09/29/streetfilms-parisian-bus-rapid-transit/comment-page-1/#comment-56975 Alek F Tue, 30 Sep 2008 16:18:14 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/?p=4666#comment-56975 Yes, BRT - as a supplement - may work. But... (and that's a big "BUT") their main mode of mass transit is SUBWAY (Metro), people predominantly use subway for transportation needs, not BRT. So, the bottom line is - BRT may work as an ADDITION to rapid transit network, not INSTEAD! (like some Angelenos think) That's why our Los Angeles Orange line BRT is miserably overcrowded and slow... btw, I just came back from Paris a few months ago, really loved it. The city is awesome. Yes, BRT - as a supplement - may work.
But...
(and that's a big "BUT")
their main mode of mass transit is SUBWAY (Metro),
people predominantly use subway for transportation needs, not BRT.
So, the bottom line is - BRT may work as an ADDITION to rapid transit network, not INSTEAD! (like some Angelenos think)
That's why our Los Angeles Orange line BRT is miserably overcrowded and slow...
btw,
I just came back from Paris a few months ago, really loved it. The city is awesome.

]]> By: Sasha http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/09/29/streetfilms-parisian-bus-rapid-transit/comment-page-1/#comment-56968 Sasha Tue, 30 Sep 2008 15:45:38 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/?p=4666#comment-56968 Here in Toronto there is discussion of looking at BRT. I take transit to work most days and it varies between 20mins and 45mins depending on traffic, lights, etc. Dedicated lanes definitely seem like the way to go ... hopefully we get there before it's too late! Here in Toronto there is discussion of looking at BRT. I take transit to work most days and it varies between 20mins and 45mins depending on traffic, lights, etc.
Dedicated lanes definitely seem like the way to go ... hopefully we get there before it's too late!

]]> By: Larry Littlefield http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/09/29/streetfilms-parisian-bus-rapid-transit/comment-page-1/#comment-56959 Larry Littlefield Tue, 30 Sep 2008 14:41:44 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/?p=4666#comment-56959 (Larry, taxis are allowed in the lanes (they do mention it in the piece). No sound in the office! (Larry, taxis are allowed in the lanes (they do mention it in the piece).

No sound in the office!

]]> By: Jack http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/09/29/streetfilms-parisian-bus-rapid-transit/comment-page-1/#comment-56958 Jack Tue, 30 Sep 2008 14:33:34 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/?p=4666#comment-56958 Impressive stuff. Between Velib and this, Paris is an impressive urban model (not to mention, it looks gorgeous) Impressive stuff. Between Velib and this, Paris is an impressive urban model (not to mention, it looks gorgeous)

]]> By: Angus Grieve-Smith http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/09/29/streetfilms-parisian-bus-rapid-transit/comment-page-1/#comment-56955 Angus Grieve-Smith Tue, 30 Sep 2008 14:21:07 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/?p=4666#comment-56955 I think you are missing something, Larry. All the vehicles I see are taxis, and at 2:36 Eric says that taxis are allowed in these lanes. Note also that Mobilien is <a href="http://connectedcities.eu/showcases/mobilien.html" rel="nofollow">a regional network</a>, not just Paris. And take a look at this regional expansion plan: five metro extensions, six light rail extensions, two new light rail projects, eight new dedicated BRT rights-of-way and three commuter rail expansion projects. Many of them are either under construction or expected to start construction this year or next. Most of them are funded by the regional government to the tune of several millions of dollars. I think you are missing something, Larry. All the vehicles I see are taxis, and at 2:36 Eric says that taxis are allowed in these lanes.

Note also that Mobilien is a regional network, not just Paris.

And take a look at this regional expansion plan: five metro extensions, six light rail extensions, two new light rail projects, eight new dedicated BRT rights-of-way and three commuter rail expansion projects. Many of them are either under construction or expected to start construction this year or next. Most of them are funded by the regional government to the tune of several millions of dollars.

]]> By: Red http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/09/29/streetfilms-parisian-bus-rapid-transit/comment-page-1/#comment-56953 Red Tue, 30 Sep 2008 14:12:21 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/?p=4666#comment-56953 Larry, taxis are allowed in the lanes (they do mention it in the piece). Larry, taxis are allowed in the lanes (they do mention it in the piece).

]]> By: allez http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/09/29/streetfilms-parisian-bus-rapid-transit/comment-page-1/#comment-56950 allez Tue, 30 Sep 2008 13:50:22 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/?p=4666#comment-56950 Urbanis, many cities do in fact outsource to the French via the multinational corporation Viola. They are a firm cities hire to manage their transit systems. Toronto comes immediately to mind, but there are many others. New Orleans has recently selected them to run/rebuild its transit agency. It's always surprised me how few vehicles stray into Paris's bus lanes. Usually there are a few scooters and occasionally a cab goes in and out, but other than that they obey the rules to a remarkable degree. Urbanis, many cities do in fact outsource to the French via the multinational corporation Viola. They are a firm cities hire to manage their transit systems. Toronto comes immediately to mind, but there are many others. New Orleans has recently selected them to run/rebuild its transit agency.

It's always surprised me how few vehicles stray into Paris's bus lanes. Usually there are a few scooters and occasionally a cab goes in and out, but other than that they obey the rules to a remarkable degree.

]]> By: Larry Littlefield http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/09/29/streetfilms-parisian-bus-rapid-transit/comment-page-1/#comment-56948 Larry Littlefield Tue, 30 Sep 2008 12:57:12 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/?p=4666#comment-56948 Am I missing something, or do I see vehicles other than buses in those lanes in most scenes? Am I missing something, or do I see vehicles other than buses in those lanes in most scenes?

]]> By: rex http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/09/29/streetfilms-parisian-bus-rapid-transit/comment-page-1/#comment-56933 rex Mon, 29 Sep 2008 20:19:57 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/?p=4666#comment-56933 Wow, just think NYPD would have two lanes to park in under this system. How cool would that be? Wow, just think NYPD would have two lanes to park in under this system. How cool would that be?

]]> By: Braddy http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/09/29/streetfilms-parisian-bus-rapid-transit/comment-page-1/#comment-56925 Braddy Mon, 29 Sep 2008 18:36:35 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/?p=4666#comment-56925 Urbanis: You are missing out on a greater point: Parisians are willing to be civil, tolerate the new system, and not break the rules for their own convenience. If we in the U.S. could get such voluntary cooperation, many of our problems would be half solved. Urbanis:

You are missing out on a greater point: Parisians are willing to be civil, tolerate the new system, and not break the rules for their own convenience. If we in the U.S. could get such voluntary cooperation, many of our problems would be half solved.

]]> By: Urbanis http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/09/29/streetfilms-parisian-bus-rapid-transit/comment-page-1/#comment-56920 Urbanis Mon, 29 Sep 2008 17:45:53 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/?p=4666#comment-56920 If only we could outsource our mass transit systems to the French and Japanese (sigh)... If only we could outsource our mass transit systems to the French and Japanese (sigh)...

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