THE FUTURE OF EXCLUSIVE BUSWAYS - THE BRAZILIAN EXPERIENCE

This paper. examines the operation of urban bus transport systems base d upon exclusive bus roadways (busways) in three cities in Brazil. The historic, economic, political, regulatory and operating context for t hese services is discussed. The strengths and weaknesses of busway sys tems in Curitiba, Porto Allegre and Sao Paulo are compared, with parti cular reference to the operating capacity of the busways. The paper co ncludes with an assessment of the importance of operations techniques, infrastructure development, land use planning, political stability an d regulation to the success or failure of these systems.