Bus Rapid Transit (BRT)

Metrobus transportation, generally referred to in global literature as Bus Rapid Transit (BRT), is a specialized public transportation system that combines the high passenger capacity and speed of metro systems with the flexibility and lower infrastructure costs of bus systems. The most prominent example in Turkey is the Metrobus system operating in Istanbul.

Core Features of the Metrobus System
The fundamental elements that distinguish the Metrobus system from traditional bus lines are as follows:
Dedicated Lane (Exclusive Corridor): Metrobuses move on private lanes physically separated from other vehicles on main arteries where traffic is heavy. This allows the metrobus to proceed quickly and reliably without being affected by traffic congestion.
High-Capacity Vehicles: Longer vehicles (usually articulated or double-articulated) with high passenger capacity are used compared to traditional buses. These vehicles are generally single-deck, automatic transmission, and multi-doored to facilitate fast passenger boarding and alighting.
Fast Boarding-Alighting and High-Platform Stations:
-Station Height: The ground level of metrobus stations is at the same height as the entrance doors of the buses (stepless). This ensures that passengers, especially the disabled and the elderly, can board and alight quickly and easily.
-Pre-paid System: Passengers make payments at station entrances (toll booths or turnstiles) before boarding the bus. This prevents time loss for ticket/card scanning inside the vehicle.
-Boarding from All Doors: Boarding and alighting through all doors significantly shortens the waiting time at stations.
Integrated Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS): It is managed with real-time vehicle tracking, centralized operation control, and passenger information systems. This helps optimize trip intervals and provide accurate information to passengers.

Advantages of Metrobus
Metrobus offers significant advantages against urban transportation problems:

The Metrobus line, which entered service in Istanbul in 2007, serves a long corridor between Söğütlüçeşme (Anatolian Side) and Beylikdüzü (European Side).
Daily Capacity: It carries an average of more than 800,000 passengers per day.
Operation: Express and regional services are organized with different line numbers (34, 34G, 34BZ, etc.) between main centers such as Söğütlüçeşme, Zincirlikuyu, Cevizlibağ, and Beylikdüzü.
Payment System: Payments are made with Istanbulkart, and a refund of the fare (via refund machines) is available at exit points based on the distance traveled.
The Metrobus system stands out as a fast, reliable, and cost-effective public transportation solution, especially in main corridors with high travel demand. With the growth and crowding of city centers, urban transportation takes up a long time for people, leading to the disruption of economic and social activities. One of the obligations of municipalities and local governments is to implement applications that increase life comfort and provide convenience in people's lives. The Metrobus service, implemented for this purpose, is a dedicated-lane bus system that provides fast, economical, and comfortable transportation in urban public transport. Especially moving independently of heavy traffic, metrobuses offer passengers a fast transportation opportunity thanks to the small number of stops and frequent trips.
The Metrobus service, which is in a structure that can allow the private sector to invest, is one of the most efficient transportation tools, especially in large cities, thanks to lane priority and high passenger capacity.