There are currently 197 cities across the world that use some form of bus rapid transit (BRT) or bus of the high level of service (BHLS), and these lines are a combined 5,000 kilometres in length and transport 32 million passengers every day. In addition, BRT and BHLS have rapidly gained popularity among planners and decision-makers as Millions ride BRT, saving billions.
Where did BRT Originate?

As early as 1937, around the world, people began proposing and occasionally implementing modest bus priority measures such designated busways and bus-lanes, the forerunners to today’s BRT and BHLS.
Specifically, the 1982 conversion of busways in Curitiba, Brazil to a full-fledged BRT system, and the 2000 installation of TransMilenio in Bogotס, Colombia, helped popularise BRT (and BHLS) throughout Latin America. Then, BRT spread because of its high performance, low cost, and rapid implementation; furthermore, successful adaptations in Quito, Paris, Bogotס, Nantes, Amsterdam, Mexico City, Beijing, Jakarta, and other cities demonstrated BRT and BHLS’ geographical and urban flexibility, making it appealing to urban planners around the world.
Of the 197 cities having BRT, 169 have implemented their systems since 2001, while an additional 120 cities are either in the process of building, developing, or planning BRT systems. In addition to the advantages of LRT, BRT and BHLS have emerged as viable alternatives for providing public transportation in a variety of settings, from those with a low to a very large volume of passengers.
BRT and BHLS have arisen as viable alternatives for mobility in light of rising urbanisation and motorization, especially in developing nations, and a lack of funds for building new road infrastructure and expensive rail systems.
The Future of BRT (Bus Rapid Transit)
Both BRT and BHLS appear to be robust modes of transportation that can easily adjust to new circumstances as millions ride BRT, saving billions. Complementary initiatives, such as citywide integrated bus systems, business sector involvement, support from national governments, and new bus manufacturers and technology suppliers, emerge in response to the proliferation of BRT and BHLS systems. These coordinated efforts boost the efficiency of BRT and BHLS while also enhancing local transportation. The quality, performance, and impact of BRT and BHLS are further enhanced by technical advancements in vehicles, such as hybrid and electric propulsion and smart phone apps.
Overall, BRT and BHLS have an exciting and potentially difficult future as they continue to expand as critical components of modern, multimodal public transportation networks. About three times the current annual rate of BRT and BHLS construction would be necessary to dramatically reduce future reliance on vehicles and lower emissions. Also Read Interview with Dan Chatman: Integrating Pre-Existing Public Transportation with Bus Rapid Transit in Developing Cities
What are BRT Corridors?
A BRT corridor is defined as a stretch of road or set of roads with dedicated bus lanes that is at least 3 kilometres (1.9 miles) in length and serves as a connection point for one or more bus routes. Given that the quality of BRT in cities with many corridors might vary significantly*, the BRT Standard is to be applied to individual BRT corridors rather than a BRT system as a whole.
BRT corridors meet the following criteria:
- Be at least 3 kilometres in length and feature dedicated lanes;
- Receive 4 or more points for dedicated right-of-way.
- Receive 4 or more points for busway alignment,
- And receive 20 or more points for all five BRT Basics elements.