A Pentalogy of BRT (5) Jakarta and Seoul Extensive Networks

 Completing this pentalogy of Bus Rapid Transit posts of South East Asia is a brief glimpse of operations in Jakarta and Seoul.  Unlike the one-line systems of Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur and Hanoi, these cities have adopted BRT as a city-wide form of mass transportation, both adding to extensive metro systems (particularly Seoul) and offering reduced journey time across many city bus routes.

Jakarta

There are dozens of BRT lines across the city: it is clear that there has been a conscious policy decision to adopt BRT city-wide.  Jakarta has elected to built dedicated BRT stations in the median which means buses need to be equipped with off-side doors.  For flexibility, many Jakarta buses have both near side 'low floor' doors and off side 'platform' height doors.  This probably means these buses will spend their life in Jakarta and have little value elsewhere.

Signage to BRT stations showing numerous lines and integrated with signage to metro lines.

One of the most substantial BRT stations in central Jakarta.

Jakarta BRT map showing the numerous lines.

List of Jakarta BRT routes

Off bus ticketing - ticket barriers control entry and exit at BRT stations

A very wet evening in Jakarta showing the segregated off-side running lanes for BRT.

Jakarta city bus showing off-side platform height doors, necessary to use BRT stations.

Seoul

The Seoul system is even more extensive: the use of the basic BRT infrastructure of dedicated lanes and stoops is integral to the entire city bus network. Therefore there isn't so much a BRT map as just a bus map. Furthermore any bus can use the infrastructure and stops as it is designed to be accessed on the nearside of the bus.  As well as city buses, inter-urban coaches also use the infrastructure.  The bus stops are often off-set from each other to reduce the amount of the median used.

Seoul has more conventional bus stops rather than BRT stations, although this particular stop is oe of the busiest.  There is no additional infrastructure such as platforms or ticket barriers.

Typical Seoul city bus on segregated median lane.  And still raining!

Off set stops reduce the amount of road space that needs to be used.

A Pentalogy of BRT (4) Understanding and Delivering the Brief: Kuala Lumpur

 

Amongst numerous metros and a single monorail, Kuala Lumpur has a single bus rapid transit (BRT) line.  It is shown on the city's integrated transit maps as the line B1 - Sunway line. The name reflects the fact it largely serves the Sunway development which includes residential and retail and a university, and was part funded by Sunway.

The Sunway line is largely elevated dedicated transitway.  It has access ramps for buses to from depot s and service vehicles but is not integrated with any other local buses. The layout means that it can only practicably be used by BRT Sunway line services, although there is interchange with other local buses en route.

There is no dedicated guidance infrastructure nor unusual step height, which means that, theoretically, any local bus could be used on Sunway line services.  However a small fleet BYD electric buses are dedicated to the service, based on their K9 model with a bespoke body and interior.  They are operated by Rapid KL, as are most other urban public transport services in Malaysia's capital.

There are seven stations on the BRT Sunway line, all of which are elevated and feature 100% off bus ticketing, with ticket barriers managing access to and from the platforms.  They are equipped for a local electronic ticketing scheme which offers cheaper fares than the cash fares from ticket machines and includes both pay-as-you-go and season tickets.  There is no ability to accept bank or credit cards for pay-as-you-go payment on the BRT or any other Kuala Lumpur metro/bus service.  The southern terminus at USJ7 station (yes, that is it's name) offers paid side interchange with the metro line 5.

This selection of photos illustrates the Kuala Lumpur Sunway BRT line and shows how the basic BRT brief of journey time reliability and reduction has been delivered, with no interference from any other traffic including other buses - which means the infrastructure benefits are only afforded to Sunway line passengers.

Paid side interchange at USJ7

USJ7 station BRT platform.  Guard rails were at some but not all BRT stations leading to the buses with a centre door for boarding and alighting.  The addition of tensa-type barriers is a common post-construction feature of transport infrastructure across south east Asia when they work out how they actually want to operate a site!

Elevated busway approaching USJ7.  No guidance (etc) equipment is required on vehicles.

One of the BYD K9 electric buses approaches USJ7.

Boarding and alighting is through a centre door with 100% off bus ticketing.

Interior seating layout is in a large bay.

Busway

Typical platform, this one has barriers added post-constriction to lead to the door location.

Access to the Sunway line bus.

Service vehicles can also access the infrastructure easily.

Staffed office and ticket barriers managing access to/from the platforms.

The elevated busway and BRT station.

Interior layout.

Forward section is largely for standees

No relation.  For more of this type of content see my other blog!