Jump the queue – go by bus

Manukau City Council’s bus priority lanes are paying dividends in travel time savings for bus commuters. The Bus and Coach Association reports considerable savings in travel time as a result of the following bus advance measures.

Buses using the recently opened bus advance lane on the approach to Ti Rakau Drive / Harris Road traffic signals are saving five minutes in the morning peak and two minutes in the evening peak.

A 24-hour bus advance lane on the approach to the Ti Rakau Drive / Harris Road intersection has recently been completed, and is designed to help buses travelling towards Pakuranga town centre and the Auckland CBD. There are also savings at other busy times of the day, and on weekends.

Buses travelling along Great South Road, from Hill Road in Manurewa to Bairds Road intersection, using existing and the newly established bus lanes from Maxwell to Bairds roads, and the 24-hour bus advance measures at intersections, are saving between 15 and 30 minutes at peak times. Similar savings are also achieved at other busy times of the day, and on weekends.

Once the 24-hour bus advance measures at the intersection of Great South Road with Mahai Road (northbound) and with Weymouth and Alfriston roads (north- and southbound) are completed, even more time will be saved. These measures save bus commuters time travelling to Manukau city centre and the Auckland CBD.

The existing 24-hour bus advance measures on Pakuranga Road at the intersections of Aviemore Drive, Cascades Road and Ti Rakua Drive save passengers up to 10 minutes when travelling at peak times towards Pakuranga town centre and the Auckland CBD, with similar savings reported at other busy times of the day and on weekends.

Bus lanes are an essential part of Manukau’s transport strategy and regional commitment to improve passenger travel by making journeys quicker and more smooth, and reducing conflict between buses and general traffic. For example, weekday (from 7-9am) city-bound buses on Pakuranga and Great South roads carry over 17,000 passengers per week or the equivalent of removing about 14,200 cars a week from these roads.

Bus lanes will work even better if motorists keep out of them during their operating times. Only buses, motorcycles and bicycles may travel in bus lanes during these times, which are clearly indicated by roadside signage. Bus lanes without roadside signage to indicate operating times are 24-hour bus lanes.

It is an offence under the Land Transport (Offences and Pentilites Regulations) Amendment Act 2004 for a vehicle, other than a bus, cycle or motorcycle, to park or drive in a bus lane during its hours of operation. Motorists are only allowed to use a bus lane during its operating times for up to 50m for the purpose of turning into or exiting a side street or driveway.

As from 1 May 2005, drivers parked or caught illegally driving in a bus lane during its operating hours will be fined $150.

Ends

Note for editors: Manukau and Auckland City Council’s joint bus lane education campaign began on 23 May with bus back, bus shelter and drive-time radio advertising to alert motorists as to who can use bus lanes. A copy of the bus back and bus shelter advertising is attached for your information.

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