Quickline
Encyclopedia
Quickline 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 with the 402 route (also called the QL2 route), that parallels the 2-Bellaire regular service route, which is the most heavily used bus route that METRO facilitates. Both routes run along Bellaire Boulevard
.
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.
This route is the first of many Quickline bus routes that are planned by METRO. The QL 402 operates only during peak traffic hours in the mornings and afternoons on 15-minute intervals. 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 exisitng 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.
, Airline, Beechnut, Antoine, and Gessner.
Bus rapid transit
Bus rapid transit is a term applied to a variety of public transportation systems using buses to provide faster, more efficient service than an ordinary bus line. Often this is achieved by making improvements to existing infrastructure, vehicles and scheduling...
service owned and operated by the Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County (METRO). The Quickline service began on June 1, 2009 with the 402 route (also called the QL2 route), that parallels the 2-Bellaire regular service route, which is the most heavily used bus route that METRO facilitates. Both routes run along Bellaire Boulevard
Bellaire Boulevard
Bellaire Boulevard is an arterial road in western Houston, Texas, United States. The street also goes through unincorporated areas in Harris County and the cities of Bellaire, Southside Place, and West University Place....
.
System features
METRORail
METRORail is the light rail line in Houston . It is the second major light rail service in Texas following the Dallas Area Rapid Transit system. With an approximate daily ridership of 34,155, the METRORail ranks as the fourteenth most-traveled light rail system in the United States, with the...
, 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
Wrap advertising
Wrap advertising is the marketing practice of completely or partially covering a vehicle in an advertisement or livery, thus turning it into a mobile billboard. This can be achieved by simply painting the vehicle surface, but it is becoming more common today to use large vinyl sheets as decals...
on the exterior with the "Quickline" insignia and route map applied.
402 QL Bellaire
Texas Medical Center
The Texas Medical Center is the largest medical center in the world with one of the highest densities of clinical facilities for patient care, basic science, and translational research...
. In addition, these 8 stops were selected so that transfers to exisitng 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 for the 402 Quickline, listed in order from west to east:| Ranchester Station |
| Gessner Station |
| Fondren Station |
| Sharpstown Center Station |
| Hillcroft Station |
| Bellaire Transit Center Station |
| Stella Link Station |
| Kirby Station |
| TMC Transit Center Station |
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 WestheimerWestheimer Road
Westheimer Road is an arterial road in the western half of Houston, Texas, United States. It runs from Bagby Street west to the Westpark Tollway. Westheimer Road runs roughly parallel to and south of Buffalo Bayou throughout its course. The street was named after Michael Louis Westheimer, a...
, Airline, Beechnut, Antoine, and Gessner.