When fixed rail transit isn't a possibility any time soon, then yes, bus rapid transit is worth looking at

in Richmond, Virginia, and other places. See "GRTC eyes upgraded bus transit system used in Ohio" from the Richmond Times-Dispatch.

The next time I'm in Cleveland I will try to check out their BRT system.

Testing the Silver Line Bus Rapid Transit, Euclid Avenue, Cleveland. Photo by Kenneth Sislak of DMJMHarris. (He occasionally works on DC-area transit projects.)