Is this Bus in Mexico City as Good as a Train?

[@MrStark-up6fi]

Fun fact: according to the BRT Standard, this is what a real bus-rapid transit system is supposed to be

[@carlosdgutierrez6570]

I mean, we usually find it easier to just follow what the normative says to the letter, that is something very common in Mexico. Why bother trying to reinvent the wheel if there already exists a blueprint of how things should be made?

[@ManiaticoZX]

You also forgot to mention that changing lines on metrobus has NO EXTRA COST. There are some examples like metrobus La Raza where you simply have to walk from the line 1 station to the line 3 station, and it won't charge anything extra since it recognizes that you're changing lines or "transbordando". Another example like in line 2, there are busses that say in the front a different destination and that means that it will be changing lines like Etiopia Station. You can basically cross the 24-25 kilometers of CDMX from north to south, or even the entire city by bus just with $6 mxn

[@CzDelta92]

yup i love the service, 6 pesos is about 30 cents for americans, very cheap for me when i was visiting my dad in the hospital, straight up 15km for 6 pesos from my home.

[@alexsdmmx]

A note to add relevant information, if you are a senior citizen with a credential from the Senior Citizens Institute, the service is free.

[@sephlin]

One of the best parts for anyone coming or living in Mexico city is the fact that a single card let's you board all public transportation, the metro, the metrobus, the elevated metrobus which runs in iztapalapa and both cablebus which are in Chapultepec area and iztapalapa.

[@sephlin]

@Itsmenotu-g7g 🤣 with the public transportation all I need is to swipe my phone over the transportation card to pay from my bank app. Also why would you carry a debit or credit card to get your information stolen, you do know that you need to keep them in anti-nfc wallets right?

[@microcosmonauta]

And also EcoBici

[@Itsmenotu-g7g]

@sephlin get a proper anti scan wallet and you never carry your debit card nice

[@sephlin]

@@Itsmenotu-g7g Haha, yes never bring your wallet out in the metro. You get your stuff stolen, when I went to University I had 2 phones taken.

[@Itsmenotu-g7g]

@sephlin never but on taxi every time

[@mikecarrington4297]

Dedicated lanes is the key. Not the only factor obviously but the starting point.

[@badideabearcub2747]

But the drawback in Mexico's system is that it still has to stop at steets lights. So it is not really faster than a regular bus, and requires more infrastructure and street real state. The only time that the Metrobus BRT beats a regular bus or car is at peak transit hours.

[@emilioivanjimenezlopez5798]

I agree that the metrobus and trolebuses are amazing BRT systems, definitely the best ones in México and maybe America, they HAVE to be this good because they usually are punching way above their weight, for example metrobus line 1 is basically doing the job a metro was supposed to do, and the same is true for trolleybus lines 10 and 11, they provide great service but they are almost at their service ceiling, and a lot of people think the Mexican government should at least be considering turning line 1 into a light rail at the very least, or straight up building a metro under it

[@Thom-TRA]

Yeah they really should be converted to trains

[@lesath7883]

The line 1 is the only one I would consider can be converted into lightweight rail. BUT it would require paying for the conversion, the trains, building hangars at both ends, and would make the sublines that run only a part of the way an impossibility anywhere but in Insurgentes station (it being a roundabout).

[@lesath7883]

​@@Thom-TRASorry, sir. I totally disagree with your statement. You may be the expert on the rails, but definitely not on the layout of Mexico City. There is no space to convert the Metrobus into rails. Most of the railway sumystem we had in place 50 years ago was scrapped or turned into Metro lines because it was too expensive and required dedicated space (eg: hangars) that we don't have space for anymore.

[@lauraitzel8334]

​@lesath7883 I personally would hate losing the bus that runs from line 1 to line 2, which is so useful, and it moves so many people a day.

[@Thom-TRA]

@@lauraitzel8334 if it every would be converted to a tram, they could leave the pavement in! That’s what happens in many European cities

[@novastorm2]

Much of the hate from Mexican mobility enthusiasts for the BRT is due to the fact that they do not understand how difficult it is to make an efficient system without ruining yourself financially. When the subway was built in past decades, it was done on the basis of contracting debt, which meant remaining in debt for decades, dedicating little money to maintenance. The new model seeks to be efficient and for services to reach the greatest number of people. For example, in Mexico, building a complete Metrobus line or a Cablebus line costs the same as building a section of two or three conventional Metro stations. Even so, the plans to expand the metro network have not finished, expanding lines 3, 4 and 5 towards the State of Mexico is being considered. But first, a program to modernize the oldest metro lines has begun. The modernization of line 1 is being completed, then line 3 will follow.

Just what you said, plus: building anything in Mexico City is a real challenge due to soil conditions. If we wanted to carry out all the pending Metro expansions, the cost would be astronomical just to clear the rights of way (because making an underground line is not just about digging tunnels or placing columns in the middle of a boulevard). In fact, the renovation of line 1 also required issuing long-term debt for the purchase of new trains and the technology for CBTC; I do not doubt that the plans for line 3 modernisation consider the same path. Yes: the Insurgentes Metrobús occupies the route of a Metro line. The thing is, to launch a heavy metro service on the city's most important avenue, YEARS of planning and construction would be required, in addition to the necessary capital. Not to mention that other transportation projects would be left without funds, like bringing Cablebús to the hilly outskirts, making more trolleybus lines or modernizing the RTP bus fleet.

[@Diegallo90]

@@novastorm2 you are right, building metro is expensive, but it's the only way to deal with the overcrowding of the public transport and solving gridlock traffic. Beside that, there's money being spend, just not in the correct way, just in the last 6 years 2,000,000,000,000 pesos were given away to 'save' pemex, that would be enough to build 2,000 km of metro (10 times the current length),this year the trend continues, as a 120,000,000,000 pesos grant has been announced to 'rescue' pemex

[@moravga8643]

Make good things is never easy. Maitenance becomed an isse after +20 years in which the local goberment doesnt put their effort to do it. Btw, in these 20 years most of the fatal accidents have occured. Also line 1 is not complete. It was supposed to be completed within 15 months. Today, after nearly 3 years half of the line is still closed. Goverment it is not interested in long therm solutions, the best example is line 12 expansion. Nearly10 years to complete a 4km extension which is at it best at 50%.,Tthere is no real plan and even worst, there is no willpower to do it.

[@Jmg831]

@@Diegallo90rescuing Pemex is seen as a good thing by most Mexicans including me, it’s not “giving away” or “wasting”, it’s a big investment to secure the energy future of all Mexicans, will get modernized and diversified, unlike the foreign corporations who used to own it, the new Pemex won’t be just extracting as much oil as possible to sell to the global market in order to make a bigger profit, it’ll be a good thing for Mexico to get ahold of it’s resources and use them in a way that benefits the people instead of a European or US CEO, but you can keep crying 😢

[@xXFlameHaze92Xx]

@@Jmg831 you rescue pemex no throwing money to it: You need to audit operations Restructuring the company for making it less bureaucratic Fucking cut ties with the yellow union, and permiting independent unions. Make pemex efficient as the material conditions of oil extraction permits (that is Heavy petroleum, for making electricity) Redesing our cities for be less car centric (this is the only solution for NOT IMPORTING OIL FOR OUR CARS) that requires make better public transport solutions, we right now we cant provide us the oil for our cars, we dont have enough light petroleum for produce even for a single day.... we need to get rid of car centric cities-

[@Kyudayo9]

7:50 You were standing in Ecatepec de Morelos, the most dangerous township in the state of mexico, in a closed pedstrian bridge, blonde hair and a camera on hand. My respects to you and your bravery.

[@Thom-TRA]

Rip. Definitely forgot to look that up before I went. I only focused on the neighborhoods in the city 😂

[@marcoherrera5075]

​​@@Thom-TRAnah dawg he's bsing. Been at Ecatepec and Tepito plenty of times and never ever encountered any sorta problems with the folks there, as long as you mind your own business and don't be flashy or show anything of interest for the punks there you'll be fine.

[@zuri_ortiz]

no mms, también son las vías más transitadas. No se va a meter en las colonias culeras

[@Kyudayo9]

@@marcoherrera5075 I actually live around there. Yeah, i was kinda joking but not really xD

[@bryanCJC2105]

The difference in the quality of rapid transit is directly correlated with the attitudes towards those who ride it. In the US, transit is viewed upon with disdain and seen as a type of welfare while spending on freeways and roads is seen as important to the city and a good use of money. That's why even our most heavily used subway system in NYC is decrepit and not much cleaner than a toilet. The public, gov't, and even the transit agency's attitude is that we're lucky to even have that filthy run down subway at all, or that 2 hour headway bus line in anywhere USA. That's also why every transit improvement project is watered down to something totally inefficient. Cars get primary attention and funding. Transit gets scraps and is expected to pay for itself while roads and highways don't have to. We will never see a BRT system in the US that even comes close to what CDMX has.

[@ricardodecampo2577]

Same here, but no judgement to the users

[@TavoLL1511]

I never thought about that. I'm from Mexico City and the first line of the BRT system is mostly used by office workers and maybe that's why we don't have that stereotype of rapid transit being for welfare citizens. Line 1 runs through the financial district and it's easier to take the bus instead of your car if you have a meeting some kilomenters down the lane. People can even pay with American Express cards.

[@blu-drag0n]

Unfortunately that disdain towards public transit is also prominent here in Mexico, maybe not as much as in the US but it is certainly present and I dare to say growing. The car-centric view on transportation has infected the mexican population too. Public transit, specially in the State of Mexico, is seen as a kind of punishment for being poor and many people prefer to be stuck hours on traffic in the city but being able to brag about having their own car as a symbol of success and status. It is really infuriating attitude because it is gradually worsening the traffic jam problem for all of us both in the State of Mexico and Mexico City.

[@DANTEMASTERKING]

@@blu-drag0n Tienes razon. Yo he ido con mi hermano a la CDMX con carro y a veces es frustrante debido a la cantidad de carros que hay. Pero te puedes mover de manera mas facil con el metro y el metrobus. El transporte publico es lo mejor para una ciudad tan grande como CDMX.

[@NeyoGiri]

3:48 The second mexican king cross, the first one is pantitlan aka "multidimensional rift station"

[@NonstopEurotrip]

More México content soon plz bro.... Oh and lets do Bogotá too 😉

[@FelipeCapilla]

I think transmilenio in Bogotá, Colombia, is the predecesor to metrobuses.

[@SntVTC]

5:34 Una pequeña nota, ya son 11 líneas en operación de Trolebús, la más nueva es la línea 12 sobre Avenida de los Aztecas de Taxqueña a Perisur! Actualmente sigue en obras la línea 11 que iría de Iztapalapa (Santa Marta) a Chalco. Excelente video, muy entretenido!! :D

[@Thom-TRA]

Gracias

[@josephrodriguez5510]

Le hubieras dado el tour tu!

[@Antonio_868]

@@josephrodriguez5510 o que colaboren ambos en un vídeo

[@victorortiz1387]

hagan un Colab

[@HabeasData-c2q]

Pero.....hacia donde quieren encaminar..los comentarios muyyyy6 sofisticados..de quien será la.mano que mece la cuna😂😂😂😂

[@TSSaale]

So, if you're build a BRT correctly, you should build a Light Rail and when your BRT isn't close to a ligth rail, it's not a BRT.

[@jasperli]

Correct. Good BRT is essentially a bandaid until a government can drum up enough support to upgrade to an LRT. Build your BRT well and it will see so much ridership that you’ll be forced to upgrade, like in Ottawa, build it poorly and you’ll be questioning why you even tried in the first place.

[@Thom-TRA]

This right here

[@ob_dowboosh]

Excellent BRT must have an overhead catenary and 3-section trolleybuses. Trolleybuses are more efficient and cheaper to operate, much cleaner but more expensive to build.

[@jasperli]

@@ob_dowboosh if you’re going to install overhead catenary, why not just install the rails & have a tram, it’d save you from installing an extra parallel wire too. BRT is a cheap solution for rapid transit which gets increasingly more expensive to operate the more developed your society becomes & the more ridership it gains.

[@joshuadominictoling5310]

@@Thom-TRARiding the Bus from Benito Juarez International Airport to the hotel while visiting.

[@RafaRadityo7]

Impressive how they can keep the bus lanes sterile with small barriers. Here in Jakarta even eith tall bartiers, hundreds of moyorcycles use the bus lane everyday

[@maxwellsmith9988]

have they added cameras to the front of busses?

[@Thom-TRA]

I was wondering the same thing. Traffic is pretty chaotic, but everyone respects the bus lanes.

[@rakandzakwan6402]

This! Transjakarta, the BRT of Jakarta and technically largest BRT network in the world feel not so effective because of how bad the situation on the bus way it self. Motorcyclist here are literally outlaw that don't respect any law of traffic. The only way to sterilized the bus way is to increasing the security by law enforcement so no one able to trespassing the bus way (which I doubt it will happen since how bad and lazy the law enforcement act here). Or maybe, they should operate the bus by contra flow so no motorcyclist dare to enter the bus way.

[@linuxsisschannel8602]

​@rakandzakwan6402 in mexico city even car get into sometimes lol but definitely is not that common. There is police around and well the BRT has camera so usually that people get tickets too

[@ganopterygon]

If people go into the BRT lanes in Mexico they get a hefty fine, that's why nobody travels through them

[@theadman2315]

I've been living in cuautitlán for almost a year, and the transport system in Mexico city is phenomenal. I came from Philadelphia which has one of the worst public transportation systems. I can take a transport bus, that comes almost every 5 minutes to tren suburbano which comes every 10-15 minutes, and the metrobus system gets you anywhere you need to go in CDMX. It will be interesting to see your take on tren suburbano.

[@Thom-TRA]

Yeah Philly’s transit is kinda gross. Fun but I wouldn’t want to rely on it.

[@SuperCrazf]

They are definitely good, but we frankly need more lines, there are still many parts of the city at are not communicated because there are no metrobús or RTP lines that go to certain places. An express line that goes end to end of the line and more buses. There is more demand than offer and the system sometimes suffers of extremely congested lines and delays on the bus arrivals Overall good video but our public transport system still has its big issues that haven’t been addressed. Still better than the US system I’ll give you that

[@daniellopez9582]

Lo malo: son muy pocas las zonas con este tipo de transporte; la mayor parte de la ciudad está en el olvido en términos de transporte público.

[@ricktp6821]

No mientas

[@SuperCrazf]

@@ricktp6821es verdad. Gente en varias zonas de la periferia siguen sin tener ni metro, metrobús, Cablebus, RTP, nada. Y en algunos no hay ni camino pavimentado

[@fszocelotl]

53 y.o. Mexico City native here: As of now, 2024, we are still struggling with a fleet of aging buses, gridlock traffic and a huge air pollution problem. BRT's now are the latest of a progression of centrally planned bus systems, beginning with the "Delfines" and "Ballenas" of the 70's, following with the 100 plus routes of "Ruta 100" and now this, and I'm not speaking of private routes that have been present since the 1930's. Several of the metrobus routes are a low cost solution to subway routes that were planned at several of the old "Plan maestro" thorough studies made in the 1980's and 1990's. Most of us old timers really expect in the future some of the BRT lines be transformed into LRT lines. Now, for a LRT line, done the Mexican way, I expect you consider the Tasqueña - Xochimilco line.

[@AverytheCubanAmerican]

Mexico City got trolleybuses back in 1951! Havana tried trolleybuses as a test in 1949 using secondhand ones from Newark, NJ. It used existing tram infrastructure as Havana's trams had twin-wire overhead. The test failed, and Havana's trams ended in 1952. I know you were saying those wires weren't for the double-decker of course, but double-decker trolleybuses have been a thing! Like in Adelaide, Porto, Moscow, and there was even a trial of a double-decker trolleybus in Hong Kong in 2001. However HK decided not to build a trolleybus system. Another example of a successful BRT system is the Rede Integrada de Transporte system in Curitiba, the capital of the Brazilian state of Paraná. First implemented in 1974, it was one of the first BRT systems in the world and contributed to one of the first successful examples of TOD! In the 1980s, they introduced elevated glass tube stations, allowing fare prepayment and level boarding. As you saw in Mexico City, Mexico City was inspired with a similar setup. In Curitiba, a small ramp folds down from the bus onto the platform so there is no gap to cross to enter or leave the vehicle. All door loading and fare prepayment allows for short dwell times in stations, as shown here in Mexico City. Inside some tube stations there are Tubotecas, or small libraries, introduced in 2013 for Curitiba's 320th anniversary. Citizens can borrow books with no need to register and return them to any other Tuboteca, any time. 20% of the stations also have passing lanes to allow for express services. Their fleet uses bi-articulated buses (split into three sections and operates only with soy-based biofuel, which reduces pollutant emissions by 50%). Based on 1991 traveler survey results, it was estimated that the introduction of the BRT in Curitiba had caused a reduction of about 27 million auto trips per year, annually saving about 27 million liters of fuel. In particular, 28 percent of BRT riders previously traveled by car. Compared to eight other Brazilian cities of its size, Curitiba used about 30 percent less fuel per capita, resulting in one of the country's lowest rates of ambient air pollution. In 2011, it was used by 85% of Curitiba's population (2.3 million passengers a day). As of 2024, the system had a length of 81.4 km! However, recently, overcrowding on the system has become a problem as the city's population swelled as well as a reduced fleet, and none of the routes extend beyond the municipal boundary of the city which forces passengers in the generally poorer outlying suburbs to have to change buses and pay two fares. Thus, the car ownership rate has gone up. Curitiba is now the Brazilian capital with the highest automobiles per inhabitants ratio, with 1.2 million vehicles for a population of 1.8 million inhabitants. The network reached its low point in 2020, dropping to a little over 710,000 passengers transported per day. Fortunately, numbers are recovering and were up to 1.1 million in 2022. Recent years have seen substantial efforts to regain quality, improve service levels, incorporate technical innovations, and initiate more robust projects to reinvigorate the integrated transit network. In response, Curitiba has planned a north-south underground metro line

[@Thom-TRA]

I’m gonna have to look up these double decker trolleybuses!

[@Moonknife]

We also have BRT in Guadalajara only 2 lines at the moment, one crosses the city in a straight line through Calzada independencia from Periferico Norte to Periferico Sur, and the other just goes along Periferico itself (periferico rounds the whole city).

[@brycebundens6866]

The frequency though!!!😍 It bugs me that each line has multiple variations, but that might be the best argument for rapid busses over rail- excellent route flexibility! If that’s the need, and rail to rail transfers will take too much space, this is a shining example!!

[@dodgeshadow099]

0:19 they still have those problems. They just added those buses.

[@AllenBeach]

Great video on this! We were just in Estado de Mexico and CDMX last week and utilized the heck out of BRT. Great way to get around, when combined with the other modes of transportation (Metro, EcoBici, CableBus, etc.). We also paid a visit to Bogota, Colombia where they do not have a Metro and over-rely on BRT (TransMilenio). It was kind of crazy to see how different the experience felt on a similar system that is over-extended. No hate to Bogota (we love it there), but it's really tough to get around without a metro in a city so big.

[@KatharaWaterTribe]

I love the metrobus. As someone who lives at the south outskirts of the city, it's the closest and safest transportation method to basically anywhere. Without it, I would have to use a microbus to the closest subway line and that avenue is very well known for being full of armed assault problems. I agree it's not a perfect system, but I also like to go around the city and know where am I, which can't be done if I travel through the subway.

[@carlosmaldondo9851]

This was an awesome and informative video thanks keep up the great work 👌

[@Thom-TRA]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@Trainsaregreat365]

4:24 the line 7 double deckers that are built by British company Alexander Dennis I can really tell they where built by a British company they look very British they look like London buses

[@tlahuican]

Very similar indeed

[@MrOof_9400]

Small fun fact is that the Volvo 7300 buses were produced specifically and only for Mexico, in the Tultitlan Volvo plant. Although they seem to share some front-end pieces from certain european versions of the 7900 Some of the first generation versions are still running with more than 10 years, but it is rare to see them as most of them were scrapped already in favor of the newer 2020 version, which also ended production in 2023 unfortunately

[@jealousofmypuddin]

BRT to LRT is exactly what may happen with LA Metro's Orange Line in the SFV. I know here in the Bay Area, in the East Bay, there's no rail service between communities down I-680 that could connect the BART stations on either end. BRT would be a great solution here, but again, without dedicated lanes it's just another commuter bus.

[@mapguy]

This is very similar to some of the PRT lines in Pittsburgh the busways are so nice to have. Wish it was rail, but Its very cool when I take my local bus and just pop on to the busway to go express to downtown

[@josueestrada6170]

Mi carnal bien confiado grabando afuera del mexibus 💀💀💀 7:50

[@dharmaitri8506]

Hi there amigo! I am a Mexico City born and raised resident and I agree with you. I have traveled and lived abroad and I also think that CDMX has the best BRT system😊

[@nelsonramos5826]

Thanks you know my country 😊🇲🇽

[@JAleksandervonHackstahl]

Nice video about BRT in CDMX, I've been there and I didn't understand it at all since there are many routes in a single line. However, you should maybe check the case of BRT in Guadalajara.

[@Thom-TRA]

I’ve heard Guadalajara is an interesting place

[@juans6639]

I thoroughly enjoyed riding the bus lines while in Mexico City in 2014 and in Guadalajara 2009. The bus drivers were very courteous and the cost was extremely cheap, 10 & 15 cents to the areas I visited. All the busses were well maintained and clean.

[@FranciscoSalcido-hg1xy]

Thank you that was very complete and helpful

[@SupremeLeaderKimJong-un]

Other Latin American cities with trolleybuses include Quito, Guadalajara, Córdoba, Rosario, and Valparaíso. Mendoza also used to have trolleybuses until recently, theirs operated from 1958 to 2021, and in 2009-2010, they purchased ex-Vancouver trolleybuses! The city's transit improved with the Metrotranvía Mendoza light-rail system in 2012, using former San Diego Trolley Siemens-Duewag U2s and Siemens SD-100s given to them from San Diego in 2011 and 2022 respectively. Unlike other Argentine trains, it operates on the right-hand side. Valparaíso's system opened in 1952, a year after Mexico City's trolleybus system did. The system in Chile was known for almost half of its vehicles being built in 1946-52 by the Pullman-Standard Company, and they were the oldest trolleybuses in regular service anywhere in the world. Those vehicles were collectively declared a national monument by the Chilean government in 2003. They helped the city gain its designation by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. They still made up more than half of the active (in service) fleet in 2015, but by 2019 they accounted for only nine of the 23 active vehicles, and in 2022, it was reported that all Pullman-Standard trolleybuses were stored out of service. Valparaíso is also known for its many funiculars, though they call them elevators. The only elevator that can truly be called as such, is the Ascensor Polanco, because it is vertical. As many as 28 different funicular railways have served Valparaíso at one time or another. Valparaíso has fifteen lifts declared Historical Monuments by the National Monuments Council. Bogotá has the TransMilenio BRT system. In 2024, 12 lines totalling 114.4 km (71 mi) run throughout the city. Usually four lanes down the center of the street are dedicated to bus traffic. The outer lanes allow express buses to bypass buses stopped at a station. There are six types of stations on the TransMilenio. Sencillas (Simple) or local service stations, located approximately every 500 m. De transferencia (Transfer) which allow transfer between different lines through a tunnel. Sin intercambio (No transfer) which do not allow transfer between lanes (north-south, south-north, west-east, east-west), located in the Autopista Norte (due to a stretch of the road), Tunal and 6th Street ramification (due to water channels). Intermedias (Intermediate) which service both feeder and trunk line. Cabecera (Portal), which are near the entrances to the city. In addition to feeders and articulated buses, intercity buses from the metropolitan area also arrive at these stations. And Paraderos bus dual (dual-bus stop) which are located in the streets, these stops don't have turnstiles, electronic boards and the floor level is the same of the street, served by buses with station-level and street-level doors. These stops are located in the pretrunk corridors (AK 7, AV Caracas, AV Suba, AC 80, AV El Dorado). At the end of 2018, Transmilenio ordered 1,383 new buses as a replacement of the older ones in service. 52% were compressed natural gas (CNG) buses made by Scania with Euro 6 emission rating, 48% were diesel engine made by Volvo with Euro 5 emission rating. In the 4th quarter of 2023, 1,836 buses on average were circulating on the trunk line system. An additional set of 869 regular buses, known as "feeders" (alimentadores in Spanish), carry passengers from certain important stations to many different locations that the main route does not reach. There is no additional fare to use the feeder buses. There are 27 bicycle parking facilities in main TransMilenio stations with 7,351 parking spaces to facilitate cyclists using the system. Eight BRT corridors were certified in 2013 to meet the BRT standard with excellence, Autonorte and Caracas silver, Americas, Calle 80, Eldorado, NQS and Suba gold

[@Cubebass]

I'm glad you had such a good time in the Metrobús. At rush hours it gets reeeeeeally chaotic though hahaha

[@rolandomiranda9115]

Mexican here. While the metrobus and mexibus are inmensely better that the old buses, in a certain way, we could argue that the BRT is worst to have happened to mexico mexico city's rapid transit system, because it has become an excuse for 24 years now to not build any more rail lines. On the other hand, the differernce in cost is huge: it can cost around 5 million usd to build one km of BRT in Mexico city while buildintg one km of metro line can cost up to 100 million usd.

[@IssacMaAr]

Como otro mexicano, creo no comprendes del todo en qué tipo de suelo vivimos y no en todos los puntos de la ciudad un metro es viable

[@rolandomiranda9115]

@IssacMaAr primero, el ejemplo más claro de lo que digo es la línea 1 del metrobus que va por todo insurgentes, que iba a ser un metro pero por gastar menor mejor hicieron el metrobus. Segundo te recomiendo mucho amigo que no recurras simplemente a tus razonamientos internos. Lo que dices te puede sonar muy lógico, pero si fuese así, más de la mitad de las líneas de metro no existirían: hay líneas de metro que pasan por las zonas con altos niveles de hundimiento diferencial y para solucionarlo, cuando construyeron los túneles se uso el método de compensación hidráulica: en el que la cantidad de material que se retira es igual al peso del tunel de tal manera que el túnel "flota" en la tierra fangosa siguiendo el principio de Arquímedes. Vamos amigo, por dios, la única linea del metro que está en suelo firme en su totalidad es la 7, todas las demás aunque sea parte de su trayecto lo hacen en terreno inestable.

[@sinclairrex4045]

​@@IssacMaArTan solo mira la línea 2, esa pasa por el centro histórico, una de las zonas con mayores hundimientos, y hasta dia de hoy sigue funcionando

[@luisfelipesuarezgutierrez2165]

@@sinclairrex4045 el problema es que el tramo de la linea 2 del metro que pasa por el centro historico les termino provocando problemas estructurales a palacio nacional, catedral y demas edificios aledaños y algo que creo que muchos no se dan cuenta es que el hundimiento de la ciudad ya llego hasta chabacano, por donde pasan los autobuses morados afuera de la estacion se siente inclinado....

[@Windows.11x]

@@IssacMaAr la Ciudad de México ya tiene una cobertura bastante amplia del sistema metro, incluso en zonas con suelos de tipo lacustre como en la delegación Cuauhtémoc, Gustavo A. Madero, Venustiano Carranza; entre otras. No sólo esto, sino que el centro de la Ciudad de México, a pesar de ser una zona de lago, es la región con mayor densidad de estaciones disponibles. Si bien puede presentar algunas dificultades técnicas, no es imposible la expansión del sistema a otros puntos de la ciudad porque ya se ha hecho en el pasado y para nada justifica que la Zona Metropolitana del Valle de México lleve 10 años sin ver una nueva línea de metro.

[@Antonio_868]

Metrobus is a system mostly hated by mexican mobility enthusiasts; one of the many reasons is because it replaced many metro lines (like Line 1, which was going to be Line 10 of the metro). Also, Metrobus operates electric minibusses nicknamed "Baby Metrobus" (it connects the two terminals of Benito Juarez Airport).

[@Thom-TRA]

Yeah, I can understand that frustration. I think in some cases a metro or even light rail would have worked.

[@Antonio_868]

​@Thom-TRA In fact, Metrobus line 4 was originally going to be a tram (it was canceled due to economic reasons). In fact, the conclusion you mentioned is similar to what other Mexican content creators have made (like SNT Movilidad or Urbanopolis).

[@lesath7883]

In practice, a Metro line under Insurgentes would not have solved much. Mostly because every single Metro line has paralel microbus lines running above. Also, the distance between Metro stations is large, which forces users to get off and take a bus to move from the stayion to their destination. Insurgentes ave was so densely packed with bus and microbus lines, all fighting with each other for the fare, that it had becomes undriveable. The Metrobus 1 allowed the authorities to retire the chart for those microbus lines, safeguard an ordered public transport system, keep stations a reasonable walking distance from each other, and allow the other lanes to be used exclusively by cars. Implementing the Metrobus was the best solution for that avenue.

[@afr11235]

An important consideration specific to CDMX is the fact that the valley is sinking, rapidly, and at different rates in different places. BRT is fundamentally more robust to this issue that otherwise causes track deformation and abrupt slope changes.

[@Thom-TRA]

That is a good point.

[@yo.nomas123]

exactly!

[@Chokato_]

The system itself works well although it faces criticism mainly because some of its lines were initially announced as light rail lines, Also in the case of the city, since it is not unusual for drivers to invade the exclusive lanes during rush hour. Another reason for criticism is the incompetence of the authorities (what a surprise) An example is the trolleybuses, since if I remember correctly, several of them were working without catenaries using their internal battery having to return to be loaded or to make empty turns around the line that did have catenaries and this happened several times a day, today it is already solved but it was a major problem

[@pedroarjona6996]

Metrobus and Mexibus lines are also used for ambulances and firetrucks. If they have rails,this will be more difficult. Also, if something block the Metrobus dedicated line, for example an out order bus, wheeled vehicles can be move around the blockage and be towed more easily.

[@Thom-TRA]

You can put rails in pavement

[@crashstudi0s]

​ @Thom-TRA Yeah, but the 2nd point is awfully common: if you are behind an out of service bus, the avenue is closed due to protests, you are in an "express" route (common on east-west lines at the morning and very late, only two or three stops between terminals) and need to maneuver around the station, your driver just puts in reverse, clear a bit, and goes arround it; rails can't do that at everypoint. Could work for some, but the ones who would benefit the most, the most crowded ones, aren't in places that it would be easly done, at least for now.

[@Thom-TRA]

@ you make that sound much easier than it actually is. Backing up a full bus on a congested route, getting off the dedicated road, safely entering the traffic. It’s not that simple.

[@crashstudi0s]

@@Thom-TRA never thought it was, yet happens so often that everyone is very used to it. I know it happens due to factors outside of the bus (except mechanical failure) but it helps to keep it flexible and can respond to said events without interrupting the service

[@ck4426]

Thank you for another awesome and well researched video on the BRT systems! And it was really awesome that you were able to ride in the very front of the double-decker bus and on the aerial cable car!!!

[@Thom-TRA]

The cable cars will get their own long video soon!

[@ck4426]

@ Awesome!!!

[@walljumper2001]

The line 1 is extremely overcrowded, you often have to wait over 10 minutes for a Bus. They built the line to cut costs as in every master plan of the metro there has always been a metro line going under Insurgentes.

[@Thom-TRA]

Yeah it was very busy

[@堅実ひむら]

I loved your video! Muy chingon my brow! Bravo. ❤

[@stephenjohnson2236]

Very good video about brt.

[@jespee4155]

Excelent!

[@alexcc316]

nice vid! btw you can pay Metrobus with any contactless card, apple and google pay (on some subway stations also)

[@noeascencio9444]

The BRT in Guadalajara, as a example, had a cost of 180M (9 million dollars) for 19 units (15 double 4 triple). Mexico City paid 600M (30 million dollars) for 6 units of a light train (with 3 wagons each for approximately 169 people every convoy). A metro train is approximately 300M each unit (15 million dollars). My point is when the traffic affluence isn’t that big for a light train, a BRT is a nice solution to start creating the infrastructure because you save up the money of the units and the money of the rails. As an example in Guadalajara the first light train line was a dedicated bus line that then was converted into a light train. The importance here is to maintain the right of way. Trams are another interesting idea to start migrating but I think in Mexico it has gone from brt to light trains directly.

[@mmrw]

I feel like the question shouldn’t really be whether a good BRT should just be a light rail, but instead it should be is a good BRT not doing the same thing a light rail would?

[@isa300100]

Funfact: we were going to have light rail, it was even shown in zocalo in 2010 but the cost of construction and the fees were just too high, Metrobus has been $6 since always, but the light rail was gonna cost at least $15, so it never came to be, it was replaced by the now line 4 of metrobus, that's also why that line uses ground level buses.

[@Thom-TRA]

Interesting. Thanks for the fun fact!

[@Killerspieler0815]

really decent for a bus& yes, a tram or tram-train would be a good upgrade with nochg much more effort that might also integrate the trolley bus

[@clivewarner2162]

We have these in Monterrey too.

[@LilBoyHexley]

The main issue with US BRT isn't its capabilities vs LRT, its actually just building the right infrastructure to make it good. To say it's cheaper than rail is an understatement, and the reality for most agency's current ridership is that managing to cap out a high frequency BRT line's capacity would be suffering from success. We're not talking about NE cities where BRT is merely supplementing a metro. In many cities, a few BRT lines running articulated busses at 3-5 minute headways could carry multiple times those cities' current ridership. Getting to that point would be a dream, and would make getting political will for pricier projects much easier. Particularly if they can use existing land rights. But as noted, the main issue is using "BRT" as an excuse to not actually build quality ROW infrastructure in the first place. I'd say LRT has a similar common issue, where the high cost of infrastructure causes its ROW/alignment to end up compromised. Meaning you build a bunch of expensive infrastructure to nowhere, and now its a boondongle used as an excuse to cut future projects.

[@Thom-TRA]

But when building the appropriate infrastructure for BRT, the difference in cost between BRT and LRT becomes so small the benefits of LRT will outweigh the cost savings of BRT.

[@LilBoyHexley]

@Thom-TRA I agree in principle. LRT is *better* in terms of being infrastructure that moves people. But the near-term goal is enabling mobility in cities that are glued to cars. Assuming you have good advocacy for ensuring quality right of way, building more rapid transit is likely going to be more politically effective long-term in getting people out of cars than saying "rail or bust" in cities without any sort of existing metro. It isn't just the cost of laying the right of way either. Providing an effective backbone for your rail system makes getting quality right of way difficult as well (grade, maintenance yard connections, etc.). Where you can theoretically put BRT right of way anywhere an articulated bus can reach. Lots of rail projects end up with garbage freight right of way, for instance, which can be argued to be worse than a quality BRT, and doesn't necessarily address transit needs in the near-term.

[@Thom-TRA]

@ I think you are severely underestimating the political and financial capital to build the dedicated levels of bus service that you propose. Good BRT is no more a near-term solution than LRT. But it is much easier to dismantle and neglect.

[@LilBoyHexley]

@Thom-TRA I guess I'm just coming from the perspective of having seen many a US rail project end up building lines to nowhere from being forced onto problematic right of way due to costs (though freeway running BRT can have this same problem). I feel these rail projects have ultimately done more harm than good, by being super expensive and garnering little ridership. My perspective is less about costs than right of way. US cities need better rapid transit right of way. Transit coverage and frequency where people actually go is important and often the main thing lacking from US transit infrastructure, and the main quality of successful projects. Capacity and operating costs are a moot point when you have low ridership, cheaper is cheaper. We need to build. (For most US cities) By the time BRT is a worse financial option than LRT to a critical degree, you're basically winning anyways, and can start advocating for grade-separated automated rail.

[@Thom-TRA]

@ okay but how many new bus projects have similarly been little-used, and how many new trains did turn out to be a success? Your evidence seems anecdotal.

[@coldicekiller1352]

im glad you could find your way around metrobus, i've been living here my whole life and a few months ago i was near La Raza hospital, i figured i'd take the metrobus like any other subway station but apparently there are multple stations in la Raza, i took the wrong one and ended up in a terminal station that didn't go around(?), i asked the policeman there and had to walk back all the way back to the correct station but even there i took the wrong gate and ended up in Buenavista, i gave up and took the good ol' metro home, felt like a complete tourist in my home city lol.

[@Thom-TRA]

The multiple stations are so confusing!

[@johnfriel-uj2zs]

Outstanding Video As Usual 🇲🇽 🇲🇽 🇲🇽 🇲🇽 🇲🇽 🇲🇽 🇲🇽 🇲🇽 🇲🇽 Easy To understand Brt😊

[@larrote6467]

transport planner here, the rule of thumb is basically: LRT is 10x more expansive than BRT; also, not every line has the demand for LRT, especially because BRT has stops closer together. BRT is already complimenting the metro which is a combination of HRT (the oldest lines) and LRT. They serve different distances and demand types. MB1 is the only one that should've been LRT instead of BRT.

[@Thom-TRA]

BRT having stops closer together than LRT completely defeats the point of BRT.

[@rakandzakwan6402]

The Mexico City Metrobús have the same case with the Jakarta's BRT system, Transjakarta. At first the government want to addressing the overwhelming traffic jam by looking for better public transit, but they reluctant on spending more fund into it so the metro is out of question. They try the middle solution by creating a BRT on the city. The BRT are proven to be effective but unexpected to have a massive ridership. Now the bus system is overwhelming as the citizen getting more into the transit ans the BRT now are run out of capacity. This lead to the proposal of building a metro system in the city with higher capacity and faster trip time.

[@positronicbeats7496]

5:10 just at that exact point there's a free zone for smoking weed 😂 idk know if that's your thing but I have informed you lmao is outside Hidalgo station and there's another one in Chapultepec station.

[@brianhubert8418]

What a cool system. This runs circle after circle around the U.S. At last a North American city that did something sensible to tackle traffic just one more dedicated bus lane bro. Thats a great point about that fine line about when to just do rail

[@Thom-TRA]

Paint = infrastructure apparently

[@brianhubert8418]

It’s amazing how much it and few level boarding platforms can do. The little parking spot curb things along the bus lanes to keep cars out and signal prioritization are all great ideas too.

[@Gabirutinha]

I find it funny how small the stations are, here in my city of Belo Horizonte, the stations are big (80 meters) and have platform doors

[@Thom-TRA]

Sounds cool!

[@A_Canadian_In_Poland]

Did you ever have a chance to ride the Ottawa (Canada) BRT system before the new Light Rail/Metro was built? It was the 3rd such system in the world to open, back in 1983. Also the 3rd system in North America to use double-decker buses, also British-built.

[@lesath7883]

The first Metrobus line was awesome. It fixed the mess that was public transportation in Insurgentes ave, where many microbus and bus lines competed against each other, which pushed bus drivers to be extremely aggressive and speed-focused. But a few months later the first probpem arose: Although the street was repaved for the weight of the busses, it did not account for the passengers inside 😂 So, the asphalt of the dedicated lane had to be scrapped and set again, with steel reinforcement below. This went on for a year and half as they fixed the avenue a section at a time. But other lines like the 4 are even messier than what they ibtended to replace. The fact 4 squeezes large buses through a snaking route through small streets in the downtown was an absolute travesty. And then, they decided to introduce the doubledecker busses..... which COLLIDED AGAINST THE STATIONS THEY HAD BUILT! The inauguration run had to be cancelled since the bus could not enter the station. In short, as always, a good plan that worked in a place was pushed to other areas where it caused more problems than it solved and was eventually so badly implemented that it was a catastrophe elsewhere. On a side note, the Trolebus is love, and has run in the city for decades. I would not consider it a BRT because most of the lines do not have a confined lane and the busses mingle with cars and other public fransportation. A minority of Trolebus routes run alongside Metrobus lines or have a counterflux lane that is really exclusive for public transportation, but it is always shared with any other bus/metrobus/microbus that shares that same route. PS: We also have similar systems in Leon, Gto and Queretaro, Qro. Not sure if there are in oyher cities as well. Just smaller, as the cities are also smaller.

[@JoseLopez-pw1im]

Magnífico!❤😮

[@NoemiPerez7275]

The Mexican Metrobús system is inspired on a Brazilian bus system. In Mexico it was adopted first in the city of León on the state of Guanajuato, where it was nicknamed "La Oruga" ("The caterpillar)

[@JoseAndresLugo]

To the point of "If you are alredy investing this much for a BRT why don't use it for Rail?" I agree, but at the same time one of the best things about the public transit in CDMX is that you have options.

[@RafaRadityo7]

Mexico city's bus system looks like here in Jakarta but on a much bigger scale

[@yo.nomas123]

Actually, CDMX's Metrobus was originaly inspired in your BRT system, Jakarta. Thank you!

[@eefm99]

🤝🤝

[@ricardouriostegui9510]

​@@yo.nomas123No, it is not. Metrobus comes from colombian Transmilenio sistem, that comes itself from Curitiba transport sistem.

[@Michael_DCA]

I love to see a double articulated bus try to navigate the streets of DC. Another fun video. How the hell did you run into Paul Lucas?

[@Thom-TRA]

He invited me!

[@Michael_DCA]

@ So cool. He one of my favorites!

[@christiancancino2253]

Mexibus on the mornings: haha no, I'm not perfect *delays 1 hour *

[@mannex5451]

Metrobus is so good that has been implemented in other cities like Guadalajara since many years ago but not so many lines like in the CDMX

[@linuxsisschannel8602]

I think some BRT should be upgrade to be at least light rail, doesn't need to be underground and they could do private/public investment. Also I think is time to increase the price. Mexico city is the only place where light rail and metro is very subsidy Guadalajara is $9.50 and Monterrey $9 Mexico city is $5

[@rocortega2064]

Both should be about $20mxn ($30mxn for a day pass I heard once) to make them sustainable and profitable, Gov. won't do it 'cause their only interest is to win elections so they can steal more.

[@crashstudi0s]

Little update: rumor goes that, now that both mexico city's and mexico state's governing party is the same, both will use a new single card for both cities. As for the light rail idea, some lines run on very crowded avenues, and while might work in some places, in others, like the east and south east sides of the city, they would be very much ocupying the entire street. And, while prohibited for privately owned, cars do use them, specially service cars, like city (and metrobus) maintenance, and emergency vehicles, like ambulances, and police patrol. So, if not imposible, it adds towards they being a bus and not a rail. Some of us would love more train and "metro" lines, but they would be more expensive to build and mantain, and some recent (and not so recent events) made them look a bit out of shape due to negligence, then add the general distrust on goverment handling funding. So, while not ideal, it might be for the best to be in the mid way betwen traditional bus, and trains, at least for now.

[@tsguy-h3q]

I understand your argument about BRT and it being so close to a tram or city-train system (I'm sorry I just don't like the term LRT, it's too vague for my liking). The only place where BRT makes sense is when you have a ton of bus routes using a common main corridor such as a main road. This allows you to speed up a ton of buses that then branch off at different places. My home city has a ton of roads like it but alas, we don't live in a utopia. If you are making BRT just to be on it's own, just build a tram. BRT on it's own only makes sense when you have steep terrain along the route or you have tight stop spacing that would require high acceleration (say 200-250m).

[@QuarioQuario54321]

Honestly at this point, some of these should just be light rail

[@abuelovinagres4411]

BRT is a good transport system for a smaller city. Mexico City is huge and the transportation needs here can only be solved by extending the Metro system.

[@Dcarriazo611]

Another BRT system that is the backbone of the city is Transmilenio in Bogotá, which does not have any metro lines at the moment.

[@samuelarellano7846]

Mexico coy is one of my favorite city’s I leave in the US. Are city’s are in sad decline. Sad but true

[@rocortega2064]

It's great for small cities (less than 1 million) or as a support option to an already functioning subway instead of buses but not as used in MX city, which is built by the gov. as an excuse instead of building new subway lines. The BRT in MX city is oversaturated because it's only used as a bus replacement (which is a huge improvement) but it definitely should not be considered as the main public transportation system.

[@MasterGeekMX]

I live besides the Line 5 of Metrobus, and construction of ot started in 2021, not 2014. Not at least the section near my house.

[@ilovedf88]

Great video👍🏼 Just comment, Mexico city MetroBus also has a part dedicated only to women safety. 😊

[@Thom-TRA]

Really? I thought they discontinued that!

[@eduardososa843]

You should try Bogota, Colombia’s BRT system: TransMilenio

[@maharbalev]

Según recuerdo el de acá de México se basó en ese 😀

[@rbrouns9569]

Impressive public transport system.

[@nicholasthompson7690]

Very cool!

[@vette1]

platform screen doors on a bus is crazy though

[@AbrahamJrz]

I am from cdmx, metrobus is great, but for me Barcelona transit is much better

[@badideabearcub2747]

From the point of view of the user, public transport was more efficient before the construction of the Metrobus lane. Waiting times were shorter, travel times were shorter and the service used to be 24/7. You had several companies of buses doing the same route, so waiting times for the next bus were shorter, with more buses competing, there were less people at the bus stops, so travel times were shorter since buses didn't have to stop at every station, and there were buses even at the wee hours at night unlike with Metrobus that has limited service hours. The big problem with Metrobus, is that although it has a dedicated lane, it still has to stop at every street light, and because it also has to stop at every station, and there is usually a light right after the station, the time is usually the double of what a regular bus used to take. The only real problem that the Metrobus solved was that the government had lost control over the different bus companies that had licenses to service the routes, and had difficulty enforcing environment standards on the units.

[@Ith.977]

Yes! Fucking yes! I’m tired of people from Mexico City criticizing the city’s public transportation when it’s actually pretty decent

[@kevin9794]

I'm no expert, but if I had to guess I can think of three reasons why BRT might be feasible when rail isn't: - risk. It's easier to change BRT lines should demand predictions be wrong, or usage patterns change, both by adding new buses and removing unnecessary ones. - cost. beyond the cost of rails, catenary, trains, tunnels, overpasses, etc. there's a lot of extra costs we as users don't see with rail. there's big specialized hangars where trains are stored every night, and are taken for inspection and maintenance. you have to connect those with rail too. A bus can just go on a normal road and park in a normal hangar. Trains are custom-built and maintenance is expensive. Buses use more off-the-shelf parts. - adaptability. I'll admit I don't know how rubber-wheeled trains stack against buses when it comes to climbing slopes, but I do know even big busses are lighter than small trains. This means it's acceleration and breaking are less noisy, safer and thus more suitable for street-level systems that'll be so close to other traffic. Especially in those cases where different likes will share a right-of-way, for example. Turns can also be tighter, again, reducing the need of grade-separation and allowing it to adapt to more urban spaces. I'm sure eventually there are BRT lines that could just be rail-ified- ideally dug into an underground tunnel or grade-separated with overpasses- but I don't think all BRT lines could simply be put on rail and be a success, especially due to that last point I mentioned. I'd assume some would have to be redrawn.

[@LordieBot]

Love your videos! Keep it up

[@Thom-TRA]

Thanks, will do!

[@ImYourHucklebery117]

There is a new train they opened by parque la mexicana i believe, forgot the name

[@spitfire7772]

I was in Leon, Guanajuato, the bus system there is all united and you can transboard from a line to another line of BRT, even normal busses were linked to them! With literally $13 pesos you can go from one side of the city to another by transboarding from the normal buses to BRT to buses. Would be cool for you to visit over there 😉

[@Thom-TRA]

Thanks for the tip!

[@kevanhubbard9673]

Guatemala City is another central American country with a similar BRT network in its capital city although they are 2 part articulated buses infact I don't think that I have ever seen a 3 part articulated bus before!

[@JorgeOrpinel]

Best buses I know are prob. the express lines in NYC. But all buses in North America have the same problems: unreliable service (either missed runs or too crowded), bumpy rides, and usually a sub-optimal option where really they should build a train (e.g. CDMX Metrobus line 1 on Insurgentes--this has just manage to further delay a metro line that's been planned since the 80s).

[@stevenhicks3321]

You should checkout buenos aires' bus system. They're great.

[@Thom-TRA]

I hope to someday!

[@Da__goat]

It helps when 60% of the nation lives on less than $25/day

[@cesarsalas6367]

???

[@RubenQuiroga-n5m]

PPP Mexico 3,500,000,000,000 dollars pesos 20 times Mexican didn't have money

[@GHOULRUL]

Yo diría que incluso un mayor porcentaje

[@gundurito]

One of the reasons Mexico City hasn't migrated line 1, and others that need and increase in capacity, from BRT to Tram or LTR i sbecause of it sinking in some parts of it. There's zones of Mthe city that sink around 20 cm annualy, which isn't good for the rails; this problem affects some metro lines as well

[@Huitzilopochtlitl]

the big problem is that the metrobus was not built on its own separate lane, it instead occupied existing lanes made for cars, removing tons of space from them, creating MORE CAR TRAFFIC, they are also not in the slightly enough to transport the high amount of ppl the city has, we all complain about the government building a whole new system that doesn't fit our city specific needs instead of fixing the metro we already have

[@eechauch5522]

Yeah, you’re final conclusion is kind of what it all boils down to. This infrastructure looks very impressive, for a bus. The vehicles are gigantic, for a bus. But it seems to be at the practical limit of its capacity and I don’t see how they would increase capacity without converting it to some kind of rail system. It’s already higher capacity then many tram lines, so it would have to be at least some kind of Stadtbahn/ LRT system with significantly longer vehicles or a straight up metro line and both options are neither a cheap nor an easy upgrade.

[@Thom-TRA]

It’s a good precursor for rail. Reserve the corridor, grow the ridership. But yeah, at some point you need to make the decision to expand into something more sustainable.

[@ricardodecampo2577]

New way is to move away from the city, so it seem pretty precise.

[@cricri3534]

A qué bien, eso si es bueno

[@jomattia]

I enjoyed riding the metrobus a couple years ago. I didn't even understand what BRT was so I thought I was on some kind of tram line.

[@Thom-TRA]

I can see why you would think so!