SAN DIEGO -- A planning board of the San Diego Association of Governments has endorsed a proposal for what it is calling bus rapid transit, which would let buses travel on city streets more efficiently.

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Would You Pay The Tax?
Sigalert 7/39: San Diego Traffic

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The success of BRT, though, is dependent upon the extension -- for 40 years -- of a half-cent sales tax that San Diegans have been paying for transportation improvements.

One idea that planners have for the money is a system that would allow San Diego Transit buses to make it through traffic lights that are about to turn red. The idea is to extend the duration of the yellow light long enough to let the bus get safely through the intersection.

"We can adjust it however we want, but in Los Angeles, they do it, and it's generally within 5 to 10 seconds at an intersection," said Sandag's Toni Botte Bates.

Officials hope that this and other ideas like it would get more people to ride the bus. Transit planners like Bates are trying to find ways to make riding the bus more attractive.

"The way we do this is to give buses priority so that they can pass congestion," said Bates.

Other ideas include special lanes for buses at intersections that tend to be crowded. Buses would pull into their own lane, then get an early green light and an early jump on the rest of traffic. Special "T" lights (for "Transit") would allow buses to leave earlier than other vehicles.

These days, emergency vehicles have a special strobe light that actually changes a signal to a green light. Buses wouldn't be able to do that, though.

"It can be done a number of ways through technology, either with global positioning systems on the buses that talk to the signals or with loops in the street, where the loops detect the bus and they talk with the signals," said Bates.

Some of the San Diegans who NBC 7/39 talked with liked the idea.

"I think it's a pretty good idea," said one man. "I'm sure people can cope with it."

Others, however, did not warm to the idea.

"Probably the riders are going to like it, but it's not fair for the other drivers," said a woman.

Critics like County Supervisor Diane Jacob said there was nothing in the bus plan for her part of the county.

"The problem with congestion is on our freeways," argued Jacobs, who also said that "the people from the East County communities, they need those major roads fixed -- both major and local roads."

As far as buses are concerned, said Jacobs, they aren't serving San Diego very well as it is.

"In order for bus rapid transit to work -- and these light gimmicks to work -- people have to ride the buses," Jacobs said.

The bus proposal, which also calls for buses that operate almost like trains along the I-15 corridor, is one of many that might be funded if voters approve an extension of TransNet in November. A two-thirds majority will be required to extend TransNet.

Previous Stories:

• August 27, 2003: Commuters: We Want To Pay Tax