EmX, launched in January 2007, is the bus rapid transit (BRT) system designed to serve the Eugene and Springfield communities. Sixty percent of the first corridor consists of exclusive bus lanes. The system includes
- median and curbside stations with enhanced amenities
- transitways and dedicated lanes that allow EmX vehicles to bypass traffic
- Preferential access technologies, such as queue jumping and signal priority
- doors on both sides of energy-efficient hybrid vehicles
LTD worked with New Flyer, an American vehicle manufacturer, to design a vehicle specifically for EmX. Considerations such as accessibility, easy boarding, and bicycle boarding were taken into account. LTD staff worked closely with cycling groups and people with disabilities to make sure the vehicle would work for a variety of uses.
Features of the new vehicle include:
- Reliable 60-foot articulated vehicle
- GM Allison hybrid-electric propulsion … quiet and low emissions
- Doors on both sides of the vehicle
- Quick and easy level boarding
- Space for two wheelchairs
- Space for three bicycles on board
- Six vehicles; $960,000 each
EmX runs approximately every 10 minutes on weekdays, every 15 minutes during weekday evenings and Saturday, and every 30 minutes during late evenings and Sundays. EmX Ridership has reached 4,700 a day, a 74% increase over Route 11, which it replaced.
