Agenda item

It was highlighted that reliability and punctuality were frequently cited as the most important issues to bus passengers, and the lack of these (along with long journey times) were also attributed by those who did not use the bus as the key reasons behind this. In order to improve these measures, it was necessary to consider how bus services could be prioritised over other road users.

A number of potential areas were highlighted, including bus lanes, bus gates, traffic signal priority, and increased kerb space for buses, as well as the enforcement of existing measures such as bus lanes and car parking charges.

Members were asked to consider several questions relating to bus priority and supporting infrastructure:

·       What are the factors that cause delay for buses?

·       Where should efforts be focused to improve bus infrastructure?

·       Should general traffic be slowed down to speed up buses?

It was noted that as part of the Combined Authority’s longer-term carbon targets, an overall reduction in car users on the road was required, which may involve a reduction in road space for cars. However, the focus for the BSIP was the best return on investment toward supporting the bus service, with carbon reduction being a longer-term priority.

Members raised the following other questions and comments:

·       Members discussed the need for buses to have priority at traffic lights in bus lanes, and the SCOOT system. This had been implemented in some parts of the region, but not all.

·       The increase in journey times pre-Covid was raised. Extra time being put into the system could cause unnecessary delays on days with less congestion, as buses would be waiting at the bus stop in order to stay on this slower schedule. However, it was noted this was done to increase reliability.

·       The importance of bus priority was highlighted; if buses were to become faster and more reliable, more people would likely leave their cars to use the bus service, resulting in less congestion, making this a virtuous circle, and one that ultimately would likely speed up the remaining general traffic rather than slowing it down.

·       Members noted the need to focus on areas outside of city and town centres, with Harrogate Road leading out of Leeds being highlighted.

·       It was noted that many car users were people such as care workers who visited patients in their homes, and others who required a car in the course of their work, and it was important not to treat these people punitively.

·       The need to consider active travel methods in terms of infrastructure was also raised.

·       An interactive map had been used in previous consultations, and DCSC members noted that this may be a useful tool to highlight where bus infrastructure efforts should be focused.

·       How would any road schemes factor into our environmental assessments and targets? Would slowing down general traffic mean creating more standing traffic or congestion, which could negatively impact air quality? Would new buses be needed as part of this plan? It was noted that new buses would be required as part of the plan to decarbonise the bus network. All new buses from now were required to be zero-carbon, though this would require significant investment and questions remained to be answered.