Schedule

Construction and operational phasing was developed, based on an incremental approach to BRT implementation, in which many features of BRT would be introduced gradually. This alternative allowed for early implementation before all segments of the traveled way were completed and simultaneously, but gradually, introducing BRT amenities, such as off-board fare collection, when the budget permits. Some of BRT’s impact on potential new riders might be lost using this gradual introduction, but using branded vehicles and stations might help to mitigate this loss. The development phasing for the three corridors is as follows:

• Alum Rock  will start preliminary engineering during the spring of 2010 and be operational by late 2013. BRT 522 would begin to operate at 10-minute headways immediately after corridor construction was complete. Local 22 service would be slightly reduced to 15-minute headways to create a BRT 10-15 service on Alum Rock.
  
• El Camino  would begin conceptual engineering in late 2009, with construction beginning in late 2012. El Camino would be operational by mid-2015. BRT service on El Camino would begin upon completion of the Alum Rock Corridor. BRT 522 would operate at 10-minute headways and the Local 22 at 15-minute headways.
  
• Stevens Creek would start its conceptual engineering in mid-2011, with the corridor being operational by late 2016 if a reversible lane were selected for the Valley Fair stretch. If the viaduct option were selected, operations would begin in mid-2017. BRT operations on Stevens Creek would start once all segments and facilities were completed on the corridor. BRT 523 would commence operations at this time with 10-minute headways, while the Local 23 would be scaled back – perhaps to 30-minute headways to create a BRT 10-30 alignment. Once demand becomes more sustainable on this corridor and more transit-supportive densities and development emerged, the Local 23 service could be increased accordingly.