Everybody wins when the bus comes first - bus priority measures are working

The new bus priority measures on the Papanui route are getting more people out of their cars and onto buses.

Council and ECan surveys of the new Papanui Road Bus Priority route over the past 18 months have shown more than twice the average growth in passenger numbers along the route, a 22% increase compared with 9% across rest of the city

Three surveys were carried out at several bus stops along the route. The initial survey was done October of 2008 before the bus priority measures were installed. Two further surveys were carried out in early 2010 after the measures were operational. The surveys involved counting passengers getting on and off each bus as it came through the stop, as well as the number of passengers on the bus.

Overall, the four stops surveyed experienced a 22 per cent growth in passenger numbers between the first and the second survey, with each stop having an increase between 4 and 47 per cent. There was a further increase between the second and the third more recent survey.

Mayor Bob Parker says the results of the surveys are good news and show that bus priority measures are working.

“All the evidence from other cities where bus priority measures are in place has shown us that bus lanes do help the efficiency and reliability of bus travel. Now we have our own evidence.

“We all want to ease congestion and reduce the number of car trips around the city, while encouraging people into the city centre. Travelling by bus can make this happen so it is great to see that more people are realising the benefits of this method of transport.

“What is also encouraging is the rigorous nature of these surveys,’’ says Mayor Parker. “Because Council staff were aware that March figures can tend to show increased patronage numbers, they decided to a further survey in May which traditionally has lower patronage numbers. What is interesting is that this third survey, rather than showing a decrease, also showed a 5 per cent increase on the March figures.

“This shows bus priority is definitely making an impact.’’

ENDS

© Scoop Media