Geary BRT plan to go for EIR review

by George McConnell

Legal wrangling and complaints about failures to respond to residents' concerns are some of the problems currently plaguing Geary Boulevard's planned Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project.

Introduced to Richmond District residents in 2006, the project has been moving forward at a snail's pace in the face of continued skepticism from many residents. And with the current fiscal crisis, problems with funding may further affect its progress.

While the project received the green light to proceed with an Environmental Impact Review (EIR) last year from the SF Board of Supervisors, the Planning Association for the Richmond (PAR) is challenging the deadline for comments on the scope of the EIR being sought by the San Francisco County Transportation Authority (CTA). At issue, according to PAR, is CTA's failure to clearly define "current conditions plus planned improvements" for the "no project" choice.

"How can the EIR process begin when there is no defined or published baseline," stated PAR in a letter to the CTA. PAR has subsequently requested a delay in the deadline for comments about the EIR until two months after the baseline definitions are provided. Included would be a clarification of the types and frequency of service, bus types and stops, ticketing, and platform types.

The BRT system uses exclusive transit lanes and new technology for local buses to speed travel time. It has been implemented successfully both here and abroad, including locally in San Jose and Oakland. Transit officials say it has reduced travel time by up to 20 percent.

The project is considering several plans, including one that would leave the current system intact with some "improvements," as well as two curbside and two center lane loading plans.

Although polls show BRT has strong public support, some Richmond residents and owners of businesses along Geary are fearful about the project's effect on the neighborhood, both during construction and after it becomes operational.

"There are numerous merchants on Geary Boulevard and other nearby commercial corridors who remember the construction of BART along Market Street and the disruption and loss of business it brought," said David Heller, president of the Greater Geary Boulevard Merchants and Property Owners Association and one of the project's critics.

A loss of parking spaces with some BRT plans, from four to 16 percent, along Geary is projected, for example, and because dedicated lanes would result in fewer lanes available for other traffic, many residents are concerned about a resultant increase in traffic along side streets.

"With 55,000 cars driving on Geary, where will they go if capacity is reduced," Heller said.

The Transportation Authority's statistics show that BRT will drive more traffic to side streets adjacent to Geary, such as Anza, Balboa, Cabrillo and California. Heller believes the City should consider other low-cost, low-impact alternatives in its preliminary planning, such as dedicated lanes only during commute hours, eliminating some stops on Geary, and using technology that would prevent bunching and give buses the power to change traffic signals.

"These options would minimize the impact on merchants and shopping patterns along our commercial corridor. From the beginning, there's been little consideration given to less invasive remedies available," Heller said.

According to Heller, the overwhelming majority of residents who spoke at the meeting held in December by the CTA to update residents on the project's progress were against it. For their part, the CTA has conducted extensive public outreach programs to introduce the project, and argues that others view the BRT system as an opportunity to increase transit and pedestrian access to local businesses.

Heller said a lawsuit is now being considered if CTA fails to negotiate and work out a solution to their concerns.

"I am not worried as I believe our arguments are valid. This is about big money and urban renewal. You can kiss the neighborhood goodbye if (center lane) BRT is implemented," he said.

If the project is approved and all goes according to plan, service is expected to begin by 2011, according to the CTA.