Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) is a high-frequency bus system using dedicated road lanes, pre-paid boarding at enclosed stations and high-capacity articulated vehicles. The result is metro-level frequency (every 3 to 10 minutes) at bus ticket prices.
For travellers visiting cities with BRT networks, understanding the pre-paid boarding system is essential. Unlike standard city buses where you pay the driver, BRT systems require payment before boarding at the station, using a stored-value card or platform validator.
Bogota's TransMilenio is one of the world's largest BRT systems, carrying 2.4 million passengers daily across 1,480 buses and 144km of trunk routes.
How to pay:
Where to buy the Tullave: At any TransMilenio station ticket counter. Available 5am to 11pm.
Key routes for travellers:
Integrated system: Bogota's SITP (complementary local bus network) uses the same Tullave card with the same per-journey fare. One card covers both the BRT trunk routes and feeder buses.
Curitiba in Brazil is considered the model for modern BRT globally. Its integrated network has operated since 1974.
How to pay:
The tube stations: Curitiba's iconic cylindrical pre-paid boarding stations (tubo stations) allow passengers to board and alight at platform level regardless of weather. You pay at the station entrance, not on the bus.
Curitiba's free tourist bus (Linha Turismo): A dedicated sightseeing bus connecting 26 tourist attractions. Cost: BRL 42 (approximately $8) for all-day access. Purchase at the main URBS terminal on Rua Marechal Deodoro.
Enter your city and number of daily journeys to calculate whether a stored-value card, day pass or individual tickets gives you the lowest total cost for urban transport during your stay.
Calculate Urban Bus FareFind BRT SchedulesIstanbul's Metrobüs runs 52km along a dedicated highway median, connecting the Asian and European sides of the city across the Bosphorus.
How to pay: Istanbulkart (stored-value smart card). Same card used for metro, tram, bus and ferry.
Key transfers: The Metrobüs connects to the M1 metro at Avcilar and Bayrampasa, and to the T1 tram at Yenibosna. One Istanbulkart covers all connections within a 90-minute transfer window with one transfer discount.
Capacity note: The Metrobüs is the world's highest-capacity BRT, carrying 800,000+ passengers daily. During rush hours (7:30am to 9:30am and 5pm to 8pm), stations are extremely crowded. Travel outside these windows for a more comfortable experience.
Johannesburg's Rea Vaya BRT connects the CBD, Soweto and Sandton in a city previously almost entirely reliant on private vehicles.
How to pay: Rea Vaya Smartcard. Purchase at any Rea Vaya station for R10. Load credit at the station.
For travellers: Rea Vaya connects OR Tambo International Airport to Park Station in the CBD (via the Gautrain premium service; Rea Vaya covers inner-city connections). The Gautrain is the correct choice for airport-to-city travel; Rea Vaya covers city-to-Soweto and other urban routes.
Lagos BRT operates on the CMS Corridor from Lagos Island to the northern suburbs.
How to pay: Cowry Card (rechargeable smart card). Purchase at BRT terminals for NGN 200. Load credit at terminals.
Route for travellers: The BRT connects Lagos Island business district to Lagos Mainland suburbs. It is not the most convenient option for most tourist destinations. Taxis and ride-share (Bolt, InDrive) are more practical for non-corridor routes.
Every BRT system globally requires payment before boarding at the station. If you arrive at a BRT platform without a valid card or token and try to board, the gate physically blocks you. This rule applies without exception.
Buy your transit card on the first day of arrival in any city with a BRT network. Top it up with more credit than you think you need. The cost of a single extra top-up (equivalent to $2 to $5 in most cities) is far less than the disruption of being unable to board when you need to.