What Londoners riding the #13 think about bus rapid transit

We're learning more about what Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) might look like in London.

While Richmond will remain a four-lane streetwith two centre lanes dedicated to BRT, Wellington Road will be widened to six lanes between Base Line Road and Bradley Avenue, with the two centre lanes again dedicated to buses.

Other streets, including Oxford Street west and Riverside Drive, would see BRTlanes running alongside the curb.

Yesterday, officials released six renderings of what these expansions would look like.

• Six pictures: What will BRT look like in your neighbourhood?

CBC News showed the renderings to riders on the #13 bus, which runs along Richmond Street and Wellington Road from Masonville to White Oaks Mall.

Sabrina Abran

Sabrina Abransaid she rides the bus several times a day, and was on her way to work in the south end of the city.

She said that the city's current transit system is good, and that she'd rather see officials finesse the current system than overhaul it.

Still, Abransaid she was impressed by the renderings, especially at the intersection of King and Wellington.

"It's going to be quite an expansion," Abran said.

"I'm excited that London's looking to improve themselves, and it's looking more like Toronto, honestly!"

Although the improvements will ultimately be for the best, Abran said the construction process will likely be "hectic," especially downtown.

Austin Pagnotta

Western University student, Austin Pagnotta, was on his way to class when we caught up with him at Wellington Road and Commissioners Road.

He noticed the expanded bus shelters at the rendering of Wellington and Commissioners.

"Sometimes it gets very rainy and you need somewhere to stay," he said.

Pagnotta also thought havingdedicated BRT lanes and bus stopswill likely be safer for cars and pedestrians.

"[Right] now there's no actual, specific spot or lane for the bus; the bus is treated as a car," said Pagnotta.

"I've almost gotten hit by a bus a couple times. Sometimes they just don't see you and they just come and almost hit you."

Kimberly Middleton

Kimberly Middleton rides the 13 or the 13A several times a week, and says she's looking forward to BRT.

"I think it's a great idea to make the buses run smoother and more on schedule, and make it more enticing for people to use it more often," she said.

Middleton agreed with Pagnotta that having a dedicated centre bus lane in some areas will likely be safer, because buses won't have to weave in and out of traffic as much.

• BRT lane recommendations: Richmond stays at 4 lanes, Wellington Road goes to 6

"I find sometimes it's hard for them to get over to the curb or back out into traffic where drivers don't want to let them in,so they have to push their way in," she said.

"I think it'll help clear that up to avoid potential accidents from that."

Middleton added that the Wellington Road expansion should alsohelp clear up frequent delays and congestion around White Oaks Mall.

Got an opinion?

The public will have a chance to weigh inatthe following five open houses:

• Wednesday Feb. 28:Central Public Library;11 am. to 2 p.m.
• Wednesday Feb. 28:5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.;OakridgeSecondary School.
• March 1:5 p.m. to 8 p.m.; Western University, London Hall.
• March 3:9 a.m. to 12 p.m.; Redeemer Evangelical Lutheran Church.
• March 4:3 p.m. to 6 p.m.; FanshaweCollege, H1013 Cafeteria.

Council is scheduled to vote on the recommendations April 3rd.