The Bay Area Needs an Integrated, Express Bus Network

Rendering of Montreal’s Reseau Express Metropolitain, which TransForm’s report cites as representing the vision for a ReX Express Bus Station.

Rendering of Montreal’s Reseau Express Metropolitain, which TransForm’s report cites as representing the vision for a ReX Express Bus Station.

In October, TransForm, a nonprofit advocacy group released a bold proposal to improve public transit in the Bay Area called ReX – a Regional Express Transit Network of interconnected express bus lines in exclusive highway lanes that bypass traffic. Complete with detailed maps, exhaustive travel pattern analysis, cost estimates, and renderings, the full report is compelling and impressive. 

ReX is broadly consistent with Seamless Bay Area’s vision map of an integrated transit system that was released earlier this year, and as a result, we’d like to echo TransForm’s call for a ReX-like express bus network, as one critical part of a seamlessly connected, multi-modal transit system.

Where did ReX come from? In 2018 the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) issued a request for “Transformative Projects” to improve transportation in the Bay Area. This was an open solicitation for bold, new ideas that had not previously been studied in past long range plans.  TransForm and SPUR, another non-profit, submitted a region-wide super express bus network developed by transportation planner Alan Hoffman. The project was selected by MTC one of twelve Transformative Project finalists (Seamless Bay Area’s proposal for an Integrated Fare System was also selected).

MTC’s website states that each of the finalist projects “will be analyzed to determine its efficacy in improving the region’s transportation system. Depending on how they stack up, these projects may be considered for inclusion in Plan Bay Area 2050, the region’s next long-range plan for transportation, land use, economic development and resilience. Plan Bay Area 2050 is slated for adoption in 2021.”

ReX consists of a hierarchy of express bus routes with the trunks operating on exclusive right of ways able to bypass traffic jams. Express feeders with limited stops would serve major destinations not directly served by the trunk routes. ReX Stations would also provide connections to local transit systems. The network also links to the regional rail systems. Service would be provided every 5 to 10 minutes throughout the day. Because buses have their own exclusive lanes, they would bypass traffic and travel times between most destinations in the region would be much faster than driving.

Conceptual map of the ReX network of express bus lines and major hubs, and connections to key rail corridors (Source: TransForm).

Conceptual map of the ReX network of express bus lines and major hubs, and connections to key rail corridors (Source: TransForm).

Seamless Bay Area’s vision map, showing a “Regional Express Bus” network (denoted with thin green lines on the map). TransForm’s proposal was developed in coordination with Seamless Bay area and roughly aligns along most major corridors.

Seamless Bay Area’s vision map, showing a “Regional Express Bus” network (denoted with thin green lines on the map). TransForm’s proposal was developed in coordination with Seamless Bay area and roughly aligns along most major corridors.

As a concept, ReX breaks down the barriers to using transit for many trips in the Bay Area. Whether a one seat ride is possible for a particular trip or a transfer is needed, the network is designed to provide fast, frequent travel between most any origin and destination in the Bay Area without out-of-direction travel. It is a truly seamless public transport option, designed to integrate with the region’s existing train, bus and ferry networks, that provides an alternative to congestion for many trip purposes throughout the region.

While one may quibble with details of the proposal as they are presented and there are a number of issues that would need to be addressed before components of the proposal could be implemented, the concept is consistent with the vision and mission of Seamless Bay Area. It addresses issues impeding attractive transit alternatives for travel throughout the region – such as gaps and poor connections for many regional trips, and slow bus service in corridors where rail doesn’t exist due to operations in mixed traffic.

Detailed map of ReX routes across the Bay Area (Source: TransForm)

Detailed map of ReX routes across the Bay Area (Source: TransForm)

If the modeling currently underway to determine the effectiveness of ReX validates the ridership and benefits of the plan estimated by TransForm, it is likely that the plan will not be implemented as exactly as shown.  However, many components of the vision can be integrated with other elements of Plan Bay Area 2050 and phased on over the next 30 years to create a truly seamless transit network for the Bay Area.

In comparing the vision map that Seamless Bay Area developed and the ReX vision, one should not view these as competing visions. Transform, SPUR, Seamless Bay Area and other groups are working toward the same end – making transit an attractive choice, the first choice, for trips throughout the region that are not exclusively made on foot or bike.  Seamless Bay Area fully supports The ReX concept, and we believe more of this type of visionary, regional thinking is needed in future Bay Area planning efforts.

Ron Kilcoyne