Bus Rapid Transit as a Sustainable Mode of Public Transport for Khartoum

Rapid urbanization increases car ownership, resulting in congestion, pollution, and road safety problems. Recent studies have considered public transportation the most sustainable solution to economic growth and land-use planning as it improves business opportunities, reduces sprawl, and integrates communities through greater mobility. While comparing various modes of transportation, this major paper suggests Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) as the most effective for the city of Khartoum, based on socioeconomic factors and planning and infrastructural needs. The paper investigates both the benefits and costs/risks of a BRT system, heeding such issues as travel time, integration between communities, environmental costs and benefits, accessibility, and socio-economic and health impacts on communities. A pilot project for Khartoum is also outlined, laying out essential elements, routes, costs and funding mechanisms. The paper suggests that, if done well, a BRT can yield many socioeconomic and environmental benefits for Khartoum.