Rapid Bus vs. Rail to Dulles

According to an article in today's Potomac News, Breakthrough Technologies Institute, a non-profit environmental advocacy organization, says bus rapid transit can be more effective than rail and at about a tenth of the cost. If local jurisdictions get together, the beginnings of a system could be operating within five years. Fully operating systems could be in place in eight to 10 years, Vincent said.

According to the story, Metrorail to Dulles has been estimated at $228 million per mile, while bus rapid transit systems have been built for as little as $24 million per mile. The story also adds that experts expect that about 925,000 people will move to the area by 2030 and it will be impossible to build enough roads for all of them.

Have a thought on the idea of rapid buses instead of rail? Post a comment below.