TransMilenio on YouTube

goin_south says on Apr 11, 2008, 22:10:

I understand, now... Rubito's relentless bantering about the Transmilenio and it's efficiency, after this last trip to Bogota a month ago.. I (we) rode or used it several times in the 5 days I was there. Very Comfortable ride. quiet, . Barrato. Nice. enjoyable way to get around the town.

y, un mil gracias.

adrimm says on Apr 11, 2008, 23:08:

:) I think alot of places could learn from Bogota's TransMilenio... if they ever finish it here is the coverage that the city will have - 80% of people living within about 5 min walk of a station. The ridership will be more dispersed so some routes won't be as bogged down as they are now.



Colombia actually has decided nationally that this system is a must-have in cities of any size.

A local version of TM is now either exists or is being constructed in,
-Medellin
-Cali (MIO)
-Baranquilla
-Bucaramanga (Metrolinea)
-Periera (Megabus)
-Cartagena (TransCaribe)

see http://www.skyscrapercity.com/forumdisplay.php?f=1143 for more info

While it isn't rail, it can still be fast-to-install, and costs far less ( a fraction of what an equivelant rail service would have cost)..while moving nearly *alot* of people. Plus if they ever go to rail, they can probably use the same stations, so it is even mostly incremental towards bigger and better systems.

Colombia is set to become *the* place to learn about Bus Rapid Transit done right. :)



And cities in South Africa are taking pages directly from Bogota! This is Johhanesburg's Rea Vaya information map (look in the bottom corner), Capetown is also putting one in :








Here's another video clip done by a New York group last fall:

adrimm says on Apr 11, 2008, 23:08:

hiccup

adrimm says on Apr 11, 2008, 23:24:

I just hope they'll stay committed to it.... (with this Mayor who knows).

miamimike says on Apr 12, 2008, 08:52:

This Transmilenio has been a much studied idea here in Miami to alleviate our inner city Transportation dilemma but all these Miami Politicos do is talk. I wish they would adapt it here and get on with it!

"Wait a minute. What did you just say? You're predicting $4-a-gallon gas? ... That's interesting. I hadn't heard that." -- Feb. 28, 2008 --George W. Bush, Washington, D.C.,

adrimm says on Apr 13, 2008, 08:58:

I think it could do wonders for suburban to/from inner city, but for just the innercity, a tram or hop/on hop off trolley might work out better. TransMilenio works best in situations where commuters are covering longer distances, something like 75% of the ridership takes the express routes there that's where it can really save transit users time (aka becomes more attractive) becuause it gets up to pretty high speeds.

miamimike says on Apr 13, 2008, 10:02:

Adrimm, we already have the Metro Mover Inner City Train that runs on a loop around downtown Miami. The Transmilenio is what is needed for longer communes outside of Downtown. I think it would be a perfect fit for Miami but our useless politicians have a habit of doing exactlty opposite of what is Practical,,,

"Wait a minute. What did you just say? You're predicting $4-a-gallon gas? ... That's interesting. I hadn't heard that." -- Feb. 28, 2008 --George W. Bush, Washington, D.C.,

adrimm says on Apr 13, 2008, 10:31:

Ahh there we are (you can tell I've never been to Miami)

;) Hopefully some politician will take a stand... fingers crossed someone does soon!


Also I think that even once they decide to pursue it Miami is caught between North American style Bus Rapid Transit, which imho is lacking some features, and the Latin American/Bogota style Bus Rapid Transit.... which (imho) would need to be modified with park'n'rides integrated into the stations for regular suburbanites to actually be attracted to. The Latin American model might cost more but can probably deliver alot more in terms of results (if done right).

adrimm says on Apr 13, 2008, 19:36:

hiccup

goin_south says on Apr 13, 2008, 23:10:

now, that's another one; DENSE?
what are you talkin, rubito? people per mile squared?
or, some other ludicrous denominator?

y, un mil gracias.

adrimm says on Apr 13, 2008, 23:26:

Rubs, thats part of why TM has been a victim of it's own success. Density in Bogota varies alot, the regional density is about 5k per sq km, but I have read that some sections are as high as 19k per sq km.

But density alone doesn't make solid balanced community (that's why I frown on Salitre), it also takes mixed uses - a solid full-time market or some large grocers, schools, offices, medical services, restaurants, local pubs. That way people have a greater chance of being able to *live* a complete day-to-day life near to (walking distance) their home.

In a sprawling suburban city neighbourhoods don't have the density to support decent-sized (service) businesses, but in dense city there is no excuse for this.

adrimm says on Apr 13, 2008, 23:26:

hiccup

webmanco says on Apr 14, 2008, 07:39:

http://diasintransmilenio.powerteam.com.co/

But, I'm going to start making some assumptions here.... Which means I might actually end up making an ass out of myself ..........Thu 04 17, 2008 11:34 am

kat1 (Moderator) says on Apr 14, 2008, 14:31:

gezz but looking at those pictures, i will hate to travel in the transmilenio, it look so crowded!!! and the queues!!! my God!!!!! well London underground is like that in peak hours :(

at least in the transmilenio you can open the window and breath fresh air

engage brain before opening mouth

webmanco says on Apr 14, 2008, 14:41:

I understand that on peak hours it is hard to get non crowded Transmilenio, what I am not too confortable is with the hike on prices. Even though I don´t use it as much, I am in favor of the Transmilenio. It is good and the best public system in Colombia.

But, I'm going to start making some assumptions here.... Which means I might actually end up making an ass out of myself ..........Thu 04 17, 2008 11:34 am

adrimm says on Apr 14, 2008, 18:00:

Kat1,

That is exactly the point.. the fact that it is sardines like any metro or tube at rush hour should actually be a point of distinction... also keep in mind that the sooner they build more N-S lines the pressure will be somewhat dispersed...

Actually TransMilenio is unsubsidized Rubz. I believe that the problem is that the stations & portals keep on having more & more stuff with each phase so costs rise (park'n'rides on the next phase.. Parking garages cost alot more than a little bike lock-up).
Also (this is huge) they cheaped out on some of the pavement beds in phase 1 and now have to start doing some pretty significant repair work on exisitng lines... this is their own fault.

If 1400 COP is fare recovery, and the lines run 1.3 million rides a day, I really don't see how they could afford alot of metro... so while it might be needed they just can't realistically afford much of it.. unless they start charging more development charges, but that might just shoot illegal construction up..