Measuring the operational impacts of a new Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) in Montreal, Canada

Abstract

Recent research on Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) systems has mostly focused on ridership forecasting and scheduled travel time gains, with little empirical evidence on potential operational improvements. This study examines the short-term impacts of implementing a new BRT corridor in Montreal, Canada, on key bus performance indicators: running time, running time deviation, and headway deviation. Using Automatic Vehicle Location (AVL) and Automated Passenger Count (APC) data from 2022 to 2023, we compare the performance of the BRT to a parallel local bus route operating along the same corridor, before and after the BRT implementation. Our findings indicate that the BRT significantly reduced trip durations (about four minutes on average) primarily due to infrastructure features such as dedicated lanes and all-door boarding policy. The local route experienced modest running time improvements post-BRT, suggesting potential corridor-wide benefits. However, run time deviation was significantly higher for the BRT, particularly during peak periods while headway deviation worsened along the corridor compared to pre-BRT conditions. These findings highlight the importance of integrating infrastructure investments with dynamic operational strategies such as real-time dispatching and headway control. It emphasizes the need for schedule calibration following implementation to ensure that planned service aligns with actual performance. These findings offer practical insights for transit agencies planning or managing BRT systems.