City seeking feedback on BRT concept

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) - It is an idea that could radically change the way Central looks and works.

The idea is called BRT, Bus Rapid Transit, and is a bus system that looks and acts like a light rail.

For the last few weeks the city's transit department has been asking people who live and work along the Central Corridor how they feel about the idea.

"From what I've heard I think it's going to be a good idea," said Sondra Craft who attended Tuesday night's meeting in East Downtown.

City Transit Director Bruce Rizzieri got the idea after touring Cleveland, Ohio's BRT line.

"BRT is very flexible it can move from median to the curb from curb to median, it can have one dedicated lane for buses, it can have two dedicated lanes for buses," Rizzieri said.

At this point the concept is for a line that runs from Tramway to 98th Street along Central Avenue.

Tuesday's meetings was the fifth of six planned to share the concept and get feedback.

"The comments have ranged from yes do it tomorrow to why are you doing it, most of them are its a good concept lets discuss it further come back with more information," said Rizzieri.

Kathryn Arndt is one of those people who would like a little more information.

"My concern would be how frequent are the stops going to be," she said.

Another concern that has been raised at previous meetings has to do with fitting everything onto Central, especially in congested areas like Nob Hill, UNM and Downtown.

"The comments have been how do you accommodate pedestrians, bikes, cars, and buses," Rizzieri said.

It is a question the city is hoping to answer next year one a more thorough study is complete.

The last public meeting for this phase of the idea is Thursday at 6pm at the Albuquerque Museum of Art and History.