Quickline

Quickline (also known as Signature Service) is a bus rapid transit service owned and operated by the Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County (METRO). The Quickline service began on June 1, 2009[1] with the 402 route (also called the QL2 route), which supplements the 2-Bellaire route, which is the most heavily used bus route in the METRO system. Both routes run along Bellaire Boulevard.

METRO Quickline
Overview
SystemMetropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County
OperatorMetropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County
VehicleNew Flyer DE40LFR Diesel-electric Hybrid (40 ft)
Began serviceJune 1, 2009
Routes
RoutesBellaire Signature Service, route 402
LocaleHouston (Texas, USA)
StartRanchester Station (west)
EndTMC Transit Center Station (east)
Length9.0 mi (14.5 km)
Stations8

System features
Quickline Kirby Station Westbound

The Quickline system features upgraded buses, fewer stops, and more modern and comfortable bus stops. The bus stops resemble those featured along the METRORail Red Line, with announced arrival times for upcoming buses based on GPS tracking systems. In addition, the buses are equipped with control devices that will interact with the traffic signal system at intersections to allow the buses to have priority movement along the route. The service uses 40-ft long hybrid-electric buses, purchased from New Flyer Corporation, that provide on-board security cameras, more comfortable seating, a quieter interior and a significant amount of passenger information to be provided at the stops along the route. To help distinguish the service from regular METRO buses, the Quickline buses have a distinctive blue bus wrap on the exterior with the "Quickline" insignia and route map applied.

402 QL Bellaire
Original bus livery

This route is the first of many Quickline bus routes that are planned by METRO. The QL 402 operated only during peak traffic hours in the mornings and afternoons on 15-minute intervals Monday through Friday; it has later expanded to midday service. The 9-mile route has only 8 stops, allowing buses to make significant time saving trips from the west side of Houston to the Texas Medical Center. In addition, these 8 stops were selected so that transfers to existing METRO local service bus routes could be performed more efficiently. The estimated length of the trip from Ranchester Station to the TMC Transit Center Station is 38 minutes.

Stations

The following is a list of stations and connections for the 402 Quickline, listed in order from west to east.[2] Frequent bus service bolded.

Station Connections Notes
Clarewood Drive and Ranchester Drive152western terminus
Regular bus stop
Ranchester2, 152
Gessner2, 46
Fondren2, 9, 63
Sharpstown Center2, 9Serves PlazAmericas (originally Sharpstown Mall, later Sharpstown Center)
Hillcroft2, 47
Bellaire Transit Center2, 20, 49, 65Serves Bellaire
Stella Link2, 10Bellaire Boulevard continues as Holcome Boulevard at intersection
Stop located on Southside Place (eastbound) and West University Place (westbound) city limits
Kirby2, 10
TMC Transit Center     METRORail Red Line
Bus lines: 2, 4, 10, 14, 27, 28, 41, 56, 60, 68, 84, 87, 170, 291, 292, 297, 298		eastern terminus
Serves Texas Medical Center

Future expansion

Before breaking ground on any future Quickline routes, METRO has pledged to grade the ridership of the QL2 route first. In addition, the transportation agency will survey passengers periodically to gain their opinion of the service and will monitor ridership as a measure of success. However, METRO has since then stated that Quickline routes could potentially be built on other heavily used streets around Houston, such as Westheimer, Airline, Beechnut, Antoine and Gessner.[3]

References
  1. Retrieved 13-April-09
  2. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on May 20, 2009. Retrieved May 21, 2009.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) Retrieved 21-May-09
  3. http://www.houstonarchitecture.com/haif/index.php?showtopic=17334, Retrieved 4-Jan-09
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