Bus Rapid Transit (BRT+ CoE) is a Centre of Excellence for Bus Rapid Transit Studies implemented in Santiago, Chile, and financed by the Volvo Research and Educational Foundations (VREF).
The main goal of this Centre of Excellence is to develop a new framework for planning, design, financing, implementation and operation of BRT in different urban areas, giving clear guidelines to decision makers on when and how BRT projects can effectively enhance mobility and meet accessibility needs.
In June this year, the BRT+ Centre of Excellence with the cooperation of the World Bank organized a Workshop gathering academics, policymakers and stakeholders of African public transport systems, in Dar es Salaam to discuss opportunities and concerns of how BRT is being implemented in African cities.
The workshop provided a platform for exchanging learning and experiences around BRT and related implementations in Africa (and other relevant developing countries) to date, considered issues and problem areas affecting the need for adaptation in local circumstances and contributed to the development of a research agenda for BRT-related research in African cities.
Presenters included: Ricardo Giesen, Ramon Munoz Raskin, Jacqueline M. Klopp, Ronald Lwakatare, Christo Venter, Dr. Dayo Mobereola, Ian Barret, Gary Hayes and Cristina Albuquerque.
Topics of discussion were: Context, challenges & opportunities for urban transport modernization in Africa; Brt, Minibus Systems and Innovation in African Cities; BRT Lessons from Dar es Salaam; BRT in South Africa; BRT – Lessons from Nigeria; Manifesto for BRT Lite; Quo Vadis BRT in South Africa?; Day one of operations.
You can view an article on the workshop here: http://www.brt.cl/brt-host-a-ramarkable-workshop-in-tanzania/ (as well as view their presentations)