Plans by the Regional Transit System to update its bus system could save time for riders.
RTS is currently studying Bus Rapid Transit, a system that has already been used in other parts of the country.
The new system would include timesaving features like bus-only lanes and priority for buses at traffic lights.
More than 50 people gathered at the Thomas Center on Tuesday to hear about the system from members of RTS and representatives of other cities that had used the system.
RTS began a yearlong study in May to see where the system's features could best be used in Gainesville, said Bill Morris, a senior research associate at the Center for Urban Transportation Research.
The Federal Transit Administration, which is funding the $400,000 study, recommended eight different roads that could most benefit from the system, Morris said, but authorities are working on narrowing it down to one.
Possible choices could include Southwest 20th Avenue/Southwest 62nd Boulevard, Hawthorne Road, Waldo Road or Archer Road.
After one road implements the system, other Gainesville roads might follow, Morris said.
"This will be the first step for the city," he said. "Then RTS will be competitive with other programs in the country."
When the final decision is made, Morris said the project will be submitted for possible funding from the Federal Transit Administration.
The idea to revamp RTS began in 2003 as part of a plan to encourage development in East Gainesville, said Marlie Sanderson, director of transportation for the North Central Florida Regional Planning Council.
In looking at development opportunities, the group decided the new bus system would make it easier to travel to UF, Shands at UF and the downtown area.
Jessica Mackey, a first year graduate student in urban and regional planning at UF, attended the symposium with her transportation policy class.
Mackey said she hopes that if system is implemented in Gainesville, people will be less dependent on cars.
"Our community is very open-minded to other modes of transportation than the rest of Florida," she said. "(Bus Rapid Transit) will be really successful because of the university."
