Latest news with #Metrobus
The Sun
5 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
UK city reveals plans for new trams as part of £800million transport upgrade – after they were scrapped 84 years ago
A TRAM line could be on the cards after planned changes to key roads in the city centre are set to create an 'unbroken' corridor — a crucial step towards building a future mass transit network. In Bristol, the proposed route would run from the Long Ashton park and ride in the south-west, through the city centre, and along the M32 to the north-east, largely separated from other traffic. 4 4 Transport leaders say it's a strong contender for the first phase of a tram or rapid bus line. Over the next two years, significant roadworks will take place at several central hotspots including Bedminster Bridges roundabout, Redcliffe roundabout, Union Street, the Haymarket, and Bond Street. These upgrades will benefit the existing Metrobus M2 and set the groundwork for a future tram or rapid bus route. Transport officials at Bristol City Council say this new 'red route' could form the spine of a tram network. Speaking to councillors on the transport policy committee, Green Cllr Emma Edwards said: 'This route in future could potentially turn into a mass rapid transit route, whatever that might mean: more buses or maybe other modes as well. "We're trying to solve a problem for the future by creating an unbroken route that could turn into mass transit. "We're trying to think about the long term.' While the exact form of the network is still under discussion, trams and bus rapid transit are the main options being explored. The idea of a mass transit system for Bristol has been debated for decades. Former mayor Marvin Rees had proposed a partially underground system, but the spiralling cost halted progress. In 2023, former West of England Mayor Dan Norris vetoed the underground element entirely, calling it 'unrealistic'. Since then, the West of England Combined Authority (WECA) has continued to explore alternative solutions — without agreeing on whether a tram or bus system is best. Labour's Helen Godwin, the newly elected metro mayor, has yet to commit to a specific plan. Meanwhile, Bristol City Council is pushing forward with the groundwork. Adam Crowther, head of city transport, said: 'Whether mass transit there ends up as a bus or a tram, either way it needs to be fully segregated from traffic, otherwise you get stuck and that's when they become unreliable and therefore people don't want to use them. "So it's about providing that full segregation.' He acknowledged that new bus lanes on Bond Street will worsen car traffic in the short term. 4 But councillors hope the changes will encourage more people to leave their cars at home in favour of public transport or cycling, reducing congestion in the long run. Labour Cllr Tim Rippington added: 'One bus carrying 50 passengers really should be given priority, in my opinion, over 25 cars queuing up. "I don't see a problem with stopping the traffic in order to allow a bus to pass by. It's all designed to deliver this red route. "The worst thing that could happen is that we deliver all the infrastructure and then the lanes stay empty and we don't deliver the mass transit route until 10 years later. "I'm not even sure that the new metro mayor is aware that this route is our plan.' Redcliffe roundabout changes will also enable a potential orbital bus loop around the city centre, initially running anti-clockwise. Left turns are easier to implement than right turns, but funding remains uncertain. Franchising may be required if commercial bus companies are unwilling to take it on. The full red route begins at Long Ashton park and ride, travels along a bus-only road to Cumberland Road, and then through the newly controlled Bedminster Bridges junction. Redcliff Street will become bus-only, and a bus gate at Bristol Bridge already blocks general traffic. From there, it heads through Union Street and past Primark at the Haymarket. Further bus lanes are proposed along the M32, with a new park and ride to be built, though the location is still being debated. In the long term, the motorway could be downgraded to an A-road to accommodate tram or bus stops. WECA is currently developing an outline business case to assess the best way forward. Construction, however, is unlikely to begin before the 2030s. 4
Yahoo
03-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
New Metro bus network expected to begin June 29, residents supporting the project
GREENBELT, Md. (DC News Now) — Some new changes are coming to Metro later this month, which will impact thousands of people who rely on Metrobus service. Starting June 29, Metro is launching its 'New Bus Network.' Some bus riders like Calencia Crutchfield at the Greenbelt station in Prince George's County told DC News Now they support the effort to improve Metro bus services. 'That will help a great deal, getting people to and from work, and for those who don't have to work remotely would help a lot. … Also, it will help with kids going to and from school, and my son does catch the bus often and hopefully these changes will bring great improvements,' Crutchfield said. 'I want to be able to feel safe:' Metro riders optimistic about expanded ban policy for violent offenders Metro is redesigning its entire bus network for the first time in 50 years. Every route will get a new name, some routes will change, and some new connections are coming. Metro GM and CEO Randy Clarke says work has been underway since 2022 to improve the bus system. 'We want to make sure people get better service, and we expect to move thirteen to fifteen thousand more people per day with the same amount of money spent on bus service, so we know that is going to be a big help. This is a big deal for us, and it is cleaning up our bus routes, so it is a better bus, and every route is going to have a different name across the region,' Clarke said. Clarke tells DC News Now some of the changes include: eleven additional routes added with service every 12 to 20 minutes. 'We expect to move thirteen to fifteen thousand more people per day with the same amount of money spent on bus service, so we know that is going to be a big help,' Clarke said. Metro said bus riders can get more information about the changes on all Metro social media platforms. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
29-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
DOJ: Woman charged for Metrobus robbery, stabbing in DC
WASHINGTON () — The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) said a woman was indicted for a robbery and stabbing that happened on a Metrobus earlier this year. On Wednesday, a grand jury indicted Tywanna Johnson, 29, of D.C., for stabbing someone aboard a Metrobus, the DOJ said in a news release. The incident happened on Jan. 22 at around 11:30 p.m. while she was riding Metrobus 3303 near 15th and Duncan streets in Northeast D.C. 'No more mercy for criminals': Jeanine Pirro sworn in as interim US attorney for DC According to the news release, Johnson snatched a rider's phone from their hands. The person got their phone back, and Jackson took a knife out of her jacket, demanded his phone and threatened to kill him. The rider tried to run to the front of the bus to get away from Jackson, but she lunged forward and stabbed him in the lower back. Johnson was arrested at the scene. Her next court appearance will be on July 14. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Rudaw Net
10-05-2025
- Politics
- Rudaw Net
One dead, 40 injured in Istanbul bus crash
Also in Turkey Erdogan sets sights on 'terror-free Turkey' as nation awaits PKK announcement PKK disarmament 'not enough,' says Turkey's foreign minister Turkey's Kurds signal 'new era' following PKK congress PKK says held congress on dissolution, decision to be announced 'very soon' A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - One person was killed and 40 others were injured in a bus crash in Istanbul on Saturday. 'Unfortunately, we have a total of 40 injured fellow citizens. One of our injured has passed away. Two people are seriously injured, and the treatment of the others continues. Some have started to be discharged,' Istanbul Governor Davut Gul told reporters, state-owned Anadolu Agency reported. A statement from the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IMM) said an investigation has been launched into the accident. Gul said the accident occured when a bus from the city's Metrobus rapid transit route was dropping off passengers and a second bus 'did not stop and crashed into the back. As a result of the collision, our passengers who got off the Metrobus in front were thrown left and right.' An investigation will determine why the second bus failed to stop, he said. Security camera footage showed the second bus arriving at high speed and colliding with the stopped bus, according to Anadolu.
The Citizen
05-05-2025
- Business
- The Citizen
AA warms of ‘significant implications' of underfunding Rea Vaya bus service
The Johannesburg municipality says minibus taxis still account for 91% of monthly trips, leaving Rea Vaya and Metrobus lagging behind. The Automobile Association of South Africa (AA) is lamenting a potential public transport crisis brewing in Johannesburg. The entity accused Rea Vaya of mismanagement, which has dented public confidence and impeded low-income commuters. Despite having millions earmarked for bus services in the coming financial year, the AA believes more needs to be done to provide customers with an attractive public alternative. 'Not just a financial loss' The AA stated that the Johannesburg municipality had lost more than R300 million from a public transport grant due to operational failures. 'Originally earmarked to support and expand the Rea Vaya network, the lost funding carries significant implications, not only for the city's mobility agenda but for road users, particularly for low-income commuters who rely on affordable and reliable transport options,' stated the AA on Monday. 'This is not just a financial loss, it's a missed opportunity to improve the lives of thousands of Johannesburg residents who depend on public transport to access work, education, and essential services,' stated AA CEO Bobby Ramagwede. The AA added that the cost of private vehicle ownership was prohibitive and that public transport was a vital avenue for the personal movement of the poor. 'The implications of this funding go beyond mismanagement: they highlight a chronic inability to plan, execute, and maintain public transport systems with integrity, transparency, and accountability,' the AA added. Budget for Rea Vaya and Metrobus In the Johannesburg municipality's 2025/26 Integrated Development Plan (IDP), the city states that 10.2 million trips are made monthly via minibus or taxi. The city states that this accounts for 91% of all public transport trips in Johannesburg, leaving Rea Vaya and Metrobus trailing. The IDP states that Metrobus serviced 3.3 million passengers via 229 routes in the last financial year, while the Department of Transport aims to have Rea Vaya facilitating 13 million passenger trips annually by the end of the year. Rea Vaya's proposed budget for the coming year includes R12.5 million for land acquisition, R25 million for station rehabilitation and R150 million for an automated fare collection system. For Metrobus, at least R90 million has been proposed for the entity for the next financial year, including R32 million for new Metrobuses. New route to success The AA's sentiments suggest that the funding would be in vain if Rea Vaya did not develop a clear vision of its future. 'Without decisive action and a turnaround strategy, Johannesburg risks further isolating low-income communities and increasing reliance on private vehicles, which could worsen traffic congestion, road safety risks, and environmental strain,' the AA stated. The entity called for engagement with civil society and collaboration with national stakeholders to help realise Rea Vaya's potential. 'We cannot afford to waste time or resources. Johannesburg residents need a transport system that works — and leadership that makes it happen,' NOW READ: R140m Rea Vaya depot stalls as informal settlement blocks progress
