Curitiba on 72 km of dedicated bus roads. These orange behemoths that
look like giant three section accordions stop at specially built glass
tubes that act as bus stops. Bus fare is paid on entrance into the
tube and when the bus arrives ramps on the bus fold down for
passengers to board. The whole system is designed to be an above
ground subway. It is cheap, efficient and has cut city traffic to a
fraction of what most other cities face. An incredible eighty five
percent of city residents use the bus on a daily basis. Curitiba's
buses are the envy of the world and the inspiration for systems across
the American continents and even in India. But not everything is
perfect down here in paradise.
The average North American transit bus fits 57, it's impressive that a
bus twice the size fits 300. It is accomplished by having only 57
seats on the bus. The majority of the passengers stand. Only very late
as night when the bus is practically empty have I managed to get a
seat. Considering there is almost no traffic on the bus roads and the
buses are so efficient, standing is no big deal.
A bigger issue is the rush hour lineups. On most days I have witnessed
lines ups of up to 300 that reach literally around the block. Transit
riders wait patiently to get into a tube to board the bus. It is a
long wait when the buses arriving are usually full. With Curitiba's
population explosion the bus system now 30 years old is struggling to
keep up. With a recent change in management buses are no longer as
frequent or on time. To add to complaints bus fare increases two or
three times a year. Most Curitibanos were once proud of their system.
Now it is a common source of complaining.
Bus breakdowns are a constant nuisance. The road is often streaked
with oil and bus fires are not unheard of. Fires force working buses
onto the regular roads. It is not a safe or easy task for the drivers
of these monster vehicles. Another constant problem are vandals who
break the glass tubes and score the windows on the buses. In the outer
suburbs some of the glass tubes are just metal framed cylinders with
all the glass lying smashed on the ground.
Dedicated bus roadways spread out from the center like spokes in a
wheel. Each road is completely separated from traffic by medians many
of which are tree lined. In a city with no regard for pedestrians or
cyclists it makes for magnificent exploratory bike rides of the city.
Although it is illegal to ride the bus roads all cyclists do it. It
would be suicidal not to. Police turn a blind eye and often wave as
you pass. The bus roads are also popular running and skateboarding
track. Sunday in particular when bus traffic is light all types comes
out to use the bus roads. This morning eight guys on specially built
skeleton skate boards raced down one of the bigger hills face first in
their lycra and fancy helmets. They jockeyed for position as I moved
into the other lane to avoid them.
City zoning allows for tall buildings within flour blocks of the bus
ways. Skyscrapers seem to stretch for dozens of kilometers in
different directions creating an image of an endless center. It is a
magnificent and unique lay out to the usual urban sprawl. All courtesy
of a unique bus system that was dreamed up and implemented 30 years
ago. A system that costs 50 times less per kilometer then a subway
system. Times are changing. Curitibanos should be proud of their bus
system and the city it created.
Tyson Brooks
In Curitiba - (41) 9672-1058
Photos - http://picasaweb.google.com/tysonbrooks
Blog - http://tysonwrites.blogspot.com/
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