But the study also finds that rapid bus lines can garner similar returns — and cost far less than light rail.

 

The Institute for Transportation and Development Policy rates the Blue Line number one for overall development investment. Institute chief executive Walter Hook credits various government efforts to attract investment along the line. But Hook says those steps can work around lines that aren’t light rail.

 

“From the perspective of cost-effectiveness,” said Hook, “cities that invested in Bus Rapid Transit — if they also intervened intelligently to encourage transit-oriented development – found that they could leverage a lot more investment.”