Forget holiday season, the next two months are bus rapid transit season in London.

As designs are developed for London’s bus rapid transit system, residents will get to weigh in on route designs, bus shelters, and other pieces of the BRT puzzle.

First up is a public workshop Nov. 15 focused on the shelters, stations and other elements of the rapid transit “streetscape.” Next month, design options for nine key focus areas will be on deck at a series of public meetings.

Options for the northern leg of the BRT project will be presented to the rapid transit working group later this week, a preview of the kind of information that will be shared at the public meetings.

“We know it’s one of the most debated routes,” project director Jennie Ramsay said of Richmond Street. “We want to tell people a story and walk people through the options.”

Four options are on the table for the Richmond Street corridor between Oxford Street and University Drive. Two designs include a single lane of traffic northbound and southbound. The other two maintain two lanes of traffic on both sides of the street, in addition to two dedicated lanes for BRT.

The prospect of widening Richmond Street and encroaching onto properties has raised fears.

“You’re talking about historic homes, heritage homes, mature trees. If you widen Richmond Street, it’s going to be very contentious in my ward,” said Coun. Phil Squire.

But Ramsay said the goal is to find solutions that balance the benefits and consequences for drivers, pedestrians and cyclists. She’s hoping that seeing the reality of the BRT plans will help residents understand the potential.

Traffic studies will also be shared at the December public meetings, in addition to the design options for areas such as Western University, downtown, Old Eat Village and a south-end park and ride facility.

Have your say

Streetscape workshop: Nov. 15, 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Central Library

Public meetings: Dec. 11-14 (times TBA)