MSP Star-Tribune: For new rapid bus lines, much is riding on image

[marmar]

For new rapid bus lines, much is riding on image
Bus rapid transit is coming to Cedar and I-35, and making it seem as simple as rail will be a key.

By DAVID PETERSON, Star Tribune

Last update: August 19, 2008 - 8:10 PM



Will it draw hot chicks?

That will be an important sign of whether Minnesota's first experiment with bus rapid transit, the value-priced alternative to light rail, actually works, according to a leading national expert who came to town last week to check out preparations for the line and advise local officials.

It may not be politically correct to say so out loud, said Alan Hoffman, a San Diego-based consultant, "but it's what I call the 'AYF Factor.' Attractive young females are the canary in the coal mine of public transit. They're sensitive to safety, and they want to be in a nice spot. If you draw them in, you are reaching a broad market. A whole lot of transit systems, when you look around, you notice certain populations are missing."

He was addressing, in Eagan, dozens of officials involved in the creation of the Cedar Avenue bus rapid transit Corridor -- a project fast-forwarded by the Twin Cities' success in obtaining a major federal grant in competition with dozens of cities. More than two dozen new buses will be added to the corridor from Lakeville to Eagan and into town, and they should be running by 2010. .....(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.startribune.com/local/south/27071819.html?elr=KArksUUUU

[nxylas]

1. If you're using "hot chicks" as an indicator then Columbia's buses are in trouble

Most of the people I ride the bus with look like either Larry the Cable Guy or Cooter Obama (Barack's hillbilly brother from the Onion story). But then, that's true of Columbia in general.