Vancouver opened its Skytrain in 1986, Edmonton and Calgary have constructed LRT lines, and Ottawa has constructed a very successful busway system. The main advantage of a busway, as compared to rail rapid transit such as LRT or Skytrain, is that the vehicles are not confined to the corridor itself. Buses can enter or leave the busway at the terminals or at any intermediate point to access residential areas, major activity centres, or dense employment areas. Consequently, a busway can dramatically reduce the need for passengers to transfer, which is a very important service characteristic in Winnipeg's harsh climate. A busway facility can be expanded or altered to adapt to changing needs.
Buses can use short sections of street or temporary roadways until changes are complete.
A busway does not require new motive equipment or maintenance facilities. The construction costs for a busway are considerably less than the other technologies. One of the reasons for this is because the construction involved is standard road and bridge technology which is well known to many local contractors. The study concluded that the Southwest Transit Corridor warranted a rapid transit facility and that a busway was the most appropriate technology for the corridor. Implications T he Southwest Transit Corridor would be a roadway constructed exclusively for use by buses.