Triangle officials take a tour of Richmond's 'bus rapid transit'

Dozens of Triangle-area officials -- elected officials as well as business and community leaders -- traveled to Richmond, Virginia, Tuesday to take a closer look at The Pulse, that city's new "bus rapid transit" system.

Bus rapid transit is a less-expensive alternative to light rail. It includes express buses, often running in dedicated lanes.

Five BRT lines are under consideration in the Triangle, serving Raleigh, Durham, Cary and Chapel Hill. Proposed routes would run along Western Boulevard, from Cary into Raleigh, and along Wilmington Street, Capital Boulevard and New Bern Avenue.

In Richmond, the Pulse travels a single 7.6-mile route from downtown Richmond to Henrico County. Developing the route cost about $64.9 million, much of that coming from the state and federal governments. The Greater Richmond Transit Company says the Pulse draws more than 4,500 riders a week -- far more than expected.

Look for bus rapid transit in the Triangle within the next decade.