Buses World News: IDEAS TO SOLVE UNUSUAL CONGESTIONS * Australia: BRT

* Tasmania - Buses key to solving Hobart gridlock issue

-- It seems obvious — the road network cannot manage the traffic volume, it fills up with cars and it comes to a standstill, enraging drivers and creating productivity losses... But cars are not the sole cause. Drivers make the decision to drive to work. We all love our cars and the freedom they provide... Congestion has become a problem in Australia because other travel options are not as convenient as driving your car. But public transport can be made more attractive... Here are some ideas to give short to medium-term relief:
* BUS priority lanes on major city roads in peak times, 7.30am to 9.30am and 4.30pm to 6.30pm, that can also be used by cars with three or more passengers.
* REINFORCE peak period bus priority by running buses on key routes in peak times every 10 minutes.
* INTRODUCE an Any Bus, Any Time approach so all buses on a route can stop and pick up at every stop.
* DURING non-peak times services should run every 30 minutes from 6.30am to 9.30pm for early starters and late finishers
* INTRODUCE bus priority lay off areas and “B lights” at all traffic lights so buses can get ahead of the traffic.
* IMPROVE bus interchange facilities to enable bus service providers to deliver seamless transfers between services.
* DO a bus-stop infrastructure upgrade to provide enclosed bus stops to protect passengers from the weather, lighting for security at night, and be 400m from every home.
* PROVIDE real-time information at bus stops and, through trip-plan web applications, give passengers information about when the bus is expected.
* INTRODUCE Wi-Fi on buses and continue to implement statewide integrated ticketing.
* BUILD park and ride facilities so drivers can park near major bus stops in outer Hobart and surrounding towns.
* CONTINUE to implement a long-term bus replacement program that reduces the average age of the fleet to 12 years and invest in new vehicle and intelligent transport system technology.
... This would be an investment in the future livability and functionality not only for Hobart as a city...
(Picture by NIKKI DAVIS-JONES - Passengers board a Metro bus in the Hobart bus mall) -- Hobart, Tasmania, Australia - The Mercury, by MICHAEL APPS: Executive director of the Bus Industry Confederation - March 25, 2016

Labels: bus rapid transit - BRT, passengers transport industry, traffic congestions