In 2010, Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) proposed a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project for El Camino Real, from San Jose to Palo Alto. VTA’s preferred design would have reduced car traffic lanes from three to two in each direction using the median lanes for buses only, in an effort to reduce bus travel times on the corridor. As a member of the Policy Advisory Board convened for the project, Supervisor Simitian raised concerns about the project's estimated cost of $233 million and its impact on traffic, all in pursuit of uncertain increases in bus ridership decades in the future.
