What does BRT stand for in public transport?

BRT stands for Bus Rapid Transit.

Bus Rapid Transit is a public-transport system designed to deliver some of the speed, capacity, and reliability associated with rail while using buses. BRT routes commonly use dedicated bus lanes or fully separated rights of way, traffic-signal priority, frequent service, and stations designed for faster boarding. Some systems also collect fares before passengers enter the bus.

The concept combines the flexibility of buses with infrastructure normally associated with rapid transit. Because it does not require railway tracks, BRT can often be built or expanded at lower cost and adjusted more easily when travel patterns change. Vehicles may be ordinary buses, articulated buses, electric buses, or trolleybuses, depending on the system.

Curitiba, Brazil, is widely associated with the first fully integrated BRT system, introduced in 1974. However, not every bus lane qualifies as true BRT: transport researchers often distinguish high-quality systems from ordinary bus services that use only limited priority measures. In India, the related abbreviation BRTS—Bus Rapid Transit System—is also common.