What is it?
Bus Priority measures are techniques used to give buses priority over general traffic. Priority measures is the collective term used for a range of traffic management measures where the delays and unreliability to public transport caused by physical constraints and other vehicles are removed or significantly reduced.
A variety of internationally tried and tested Bus Priority measures are available for use along Christchurch's public transport corridors.
The key measures being in out City are:
Why we need Bus Priority
Attracting more people to use buses can reduce the number of private vehicle trips, enhance the efficiency of our existing road network and help lessen the need for expensive road expansion. It can also decrease the impacts of traffic congestion on the economy, the environment and people's health.
With traffic volumes and congestion increasing during peak times, bus arrival and departure times can also be very unpredictable, making bus use unattractive compared with private vehicles. Affordable and practical measures are being put in place that will:
- Make travel by bus more attractive, efficient and reliable
- Lessen the impact of traffic growth on the environment, our health and social wellbeing
- Support an accessible and sustainable transport system
These measures will help reduce bus travel times and improve reliability. Once the bus service is reliable and bus travel times are reduced, a more accurate timetable can be developed to meet passenger demand and attract more users. The aim is to achieve unobstructed bus lanes along high demand bus corridors during peak hours of travel.
The strategies behind these changes
The Greater Christchurch Urban Development Strategy (UDS) is a 35-year strategy to manage growth in Greater Christchurch. It recognises an efficient and integrated transport system as fundamental to our quality of life, in that it provides vital access to education, employment, services and recreational opportunities. Central to the strategy is the efficient use of the existing transport network supported by prudent investment in infrastructure to manage traffic growth, encourage sustainable travel choices, and lessen the impact on the environment.
Bus Priority measures improve travel time reliability for public transport, thereby increasing its attractiveness relative to private vehicle travel.
Metro Strategy 2006-2012
Citywide Public Transport Plan 2004
Regional Land Transport Strategy
Metropolitian Christchurch Passenger Transport Statement
Christchurch Public Passenger Transport Strategy
Canterbury Regional Passenger Transport Plan
CCC Policy Register
While the Canterbury Earthquakes have changed traffic pattern in Christchurch, the overall Greater Christchurch Urban Development Strategy and had not been greatly changed and Bus Priority is still seen as important for our city into the future.