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Bus rapid transit, or BRT, systems attempt to replicate the speed and reliability of rail networks using buses running on dedicated lanes. Passengers board at raised platforms after paying fares in advance, eliminating the delays caused by cash transactions at the vehicle door. Because buses do not compete with general traffic, journey times become far more predictable, a feature transit planners cite as crucial for commuter trust. Critics, however, note that BRT corridors require sustained political commitment: dedicated lanes are frequently narrowed or removed under pressure from motorists during subsequent administrations, eroding the very reliability that justified the system's construction. Cities that have maintained lane integrity over multiple decades, by contrast, report ridership levels approaching those of comparable light rail lines.