What are the benefits?

silver line benefits

Economic Impact

BRT systems vary in the return on investment (ROI). With some BRT projects that are more robust in scope, the return can be as high as 1,000%, for example, Cleveland's Euclid Corridor, or York, Ontario's VIVA. Kansas City's MAX has a return on investment of 300%. At the lowest end of ROI is Pittsburgh with 115%. In summary, the range of ROI varies substantially from just over 100% to over 1,000%. The average for six North American systems examined was approximately 400%.

Findings from a University of Michigan report give insight into the importance of stations and station areas. The report showed the type of running way had little impact on development. "BRT attracts real estate development because BRT stations are substantial enough and classy enough to signal to developers that the stop will become a permanent destination. When BRT systems feature such attractive stations and offer good quality service, they attract new real estate development equivalent to that attracted by rail transit."

For the Silver Line, potential station area projects along the route could provide a return on investment for the of approximately 400% — the average for the six North American systems examined above.

Employment

The Silver Line will create both temporary and permanent jobs. On the construction side, there will be jobs in facility and roadway construction, vehicle manufacture, professional, technical and other services. Long-term construction jobs will be the result of transit oriented development (TOD) construction primarily at stations. The total direct and indirect permanent jobs related to construction are 189 jobs.

Permanent jobs will also be created in transit operations, retail trade and food services. We estimate permanent direct and indirect jobs to be 216.

Combining these factors, the Silver Line is anticipated to create 405 permanent jobs. The average annual wage will be $37,000. The total annual wage creation will be $14,985,000.

Over four fifths (83%) of residents thought transportation improvements are very urgent (37%) or somewhat urgent (46%).

Community Study
Jacokes & associates
November, 2008

Community

Projects like the Silver Line don’t just benefit people living on either end of the line. While there has been an increase of residents and businesses on either end of the Silver Line, communities along the line also will have the opportunity to be revitalized. BRT projects typically see development of ‘walkable’ communities around each station along the line. Plus, residents can enjoy easy access to all the route’s destinations. Silver Line allows residents working downtown to leave their car and parking costs behind, and it gives everyone in the community a new way to get conveniently visit Grand Rapids for entertainment and nightlife.

Environment

Silver Line offers a number of unique environmental benefits to more that just the streets it follows.

The hybrid electric vehicles used by Silver Line will emit substantially less pollution than either a light or heavy rail system, on a per passenger mile basis. It’s low-emission, high-capacity vehicles travel farther and carry more customers than a conventional system can.
Silver Line will leverage existing developed land and roads. No major infrastructure development is required.
Projects like Silver Line typically create ‘walkable’ communities around each station.