While light-rail and streetcars are enjoying a renaissance in the USA, their cousin — the stalwart public bus — gets nowhere near as much love.

Until now.

That’s right: the much-maligned public bus is finally getting some love. Why? Because this is America.

Indeed, one transit agency has a hunch that a well-designed bus system can not only be just as efficient as light-rail — it can be just as sexy.

This hunch has pushed them to place a big bet on their new bus system. A really big bet, actually: one exceeding half-a-billion dollars. It’s the most expensive project of its kind in American history.

When full service begins today, media, politicians, and transit riders will be lined up to see whether their bet has paid off. We’ll be eagerly awaiting the outcome. Because by the looks of it, they might just have built the best bus system in America.

Bus rapid transit lines in Karachi, Pakistan.

These are no ordinary buses.

They’re bus rapid transit.

Bus rapid transit (BRT) is a totally different way to run buses. In reality, BRT operates much like a subway system:

You pay before you board

Passenger platforms are level with bus doors (no steps to get on)

Dedicated lanes mean buses don’t have to deal with traffic

These features allow BRT systems to move passengers much more quickly than typical buses. And, unlike the subway, BRT doesn’t take as long to build, and avoids the costs of digging tunnels and laying down rail.

That’s why Connecticut transit planners picked BRT to be the state’s next rapid transit solution. Celebrating its maiden voyage this week, a new rapid transit corridor called CTfastrak will run between Hartford and New Britain, and hopes to relieve the chronic congestion along highway I-84.

Haven’t heard of bus rapid transit before? You’re not alone. BRT is largely absent from most American cities. For inspiration, CTfastrak had to look to the south.

The deep, deep, deeeeep south.