Client

Bus Rapid Transit

Challenge

To better understand whether and where Bus Rapid Transit (BRT), an innovative system of bus transit, could work in the greater Boston region, the Barr Foundation convened a “Study Group” of diverse stakeholders and transit experts from across the city to explore BRT and share with the public its potential for Greater Boston.

Approach

Denterlein conceived of and contributed to the first report on BRT in Boston to coalesce the strong work of the BRT Study Group, organized and supported BRT Study Group leaders in presenting to local business and civic groups in the Greater Boston region, and led individual and small group briefings with transportation policy officials from Boston, Cambridge and Somerville. Denterlein also organized a successful State House briefing attended by dozens of Greater Boston-area legislators and staffers and helped create a robust roster of co-sponsors, including the Massachusetts Black and Latino Legislative Caucus, the MBTA Caucus and the Boston Delegation.

Results

BRT has become an integral part of the transportation conversation, not only in news stories, columns, editorials and letters to the editor, but also in transportation and economic development forums and political candidate debates. BRT is also being considered in one or more corridors as part of transportation planning efforts.