Bus borders

A bus border is an extension of the footpath and raised kerb into the traffic lane. This allows the bus to stop without leaving its position in the traffic stream. Cars travelling behind the bus will pause for a short period while passengers get on and off the bus. At peak congestion times, the effect on the traffic times is negligible as traffic lights down stream of the bus borders are the main restriction.

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What happens at a bus border?

For passengers?
The platform provides an area for the passenger to wait away from normal pedestrian traffic. The fence on the footpath side of the bus border directs passengers to a safe crossing point over the cycle lane. Passengers need to be aware of cyclists approaching the bus border on the cycle lane.

For cyclists?
The marked cycle lane, leading to and behind the bus border platform, directs cyclists where to travel. Signage and markings on the carriageway clearly show the cycle lane. The cycle lane behind the bus border is to be used at all times, i.e. whether there is a bus at the bus border or not. Cyclists need to be aware of pedestrians crossing to and from the bus border.

For a motorist?
Motorists must stop behind the bus and wait for passengers to board or alight the bus. All vehicles must stay behind the bus while it is stopped.

For the bus?
The bus stops at the bus border, which maintains its place in the traffic stream when picking up and dropping off passengers.

Advantages of bus borders

• Maintain the bus position in the traffic flow.
• Maintain the majority of existing parking spaces.
• Provides easy access for push chairs, wheelchairs, the disabled and the elderly as the bus is closer to the kerb.
• Creates additional footway space for passengers to wait.
• Ensures no rear end over-swing by the bus when pulling out.
• Reduces boarding and alighting time.
• Deters illegal parking.
• Reduces time spent at the bus stop.
• Only interferes with the traffic stream once, compared with a traditional bus stop where the bus pulls in and out.
• Potential to reduce the number of bus stop crashes.