Latest news with #buspriority
RNZ News
11 hours ago
- Politics
- RNZ News
Wellington's Green Party council candidates promote transport proposals
Photo: RNZ / Dom Thomas Green Party candidates for Wellington City and Regional councils say their proposal to give buses priority on key routes would cut some commuter's trips by 10-15 minutes. The Greens' candidates are proposing creating a new bus corridor down the harbour quays, which they believe will speed up journeys and ease bus congestion on the Golden Mile. They also support the continuation of the current Golden Mile proposal which would remove car traffic from the route. Additionally the Greens' want to prioritise buses on Route 2, which goes between Miramar and the City, with traffic light priority and longer higher-capacity buses. Green Party Regional Council candidate Henry Peach said their plan meant less time stuck in traffic, and buses turning up more often and on time. "Giving buses priority on key routes will make the bus attractive for more people and reduce car traffic, noise and pollution in the city," Peach said. "All bus routes that come into the city and and all transport corridors that come into the city will benefit from this because all buses that move through the city will be speed up, they become more reliable and more attractive for people and that ultimately means that more people are going to use public transport," he said. Peach said more people using public transport would mean the roads were less congested and there would be less vehicles competing for that finite space on the road. Green candidate for the Eastern Ward Jonny Osborne, said prioritising buses such as Route 2 was the best way to improve access and reduce congestion from the eastern suburbs. "More than half of us in the east already take the bus. Cutting the trip by up to 15 minutes will make it the logical choice for more of us, meaning less congestion for everyone," he said. Peach said a priority bus route on the Harbour Quays would cost around $10m while targeted upgrades to Route 2 would cost around $6m. "So in the scheme of transport projects it's really cheap and it's something that we could kick off in the next few years," he said. "Which would mean Wellingtonians seeing really significant improvements to public transport within a few years."
Khaleej Times
21-05-2025
- Business
- Khaleej Times
Dubai: ‘Bus priority system' at traffic signals reduces delays
Dubai has put in place a priority system for its buses at traffic signals at busy intersections, boosting arrival times by 12 per cent. Implemented by the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), the system extends green light durations during peak hours on major roads with high bus traffic. Speaking to Khaleej Times, an RTA spokesperson confirmed the positive impact of the initiative. 'The benefits are already evident,' he said. "In March 2025, the public bus service achieved a milestone on-time performance rate of over 80 per cent — a significant achievement given the current congestion levels on the roads,' he said. This development is part of a broader effort to enhance public transport efficiency. Just last week, the RTA announced plans to add six new bus and taxi lanes spanning 13km. These lanes are expected to slash journey times by up to 41 per cent. Currently, Dubai's 1,390-strong bus fleet covers nearly 90 per cent of the city, operating 11,000 trips daily and serving over 500,000 riders. These enhancements are key elements of the RTA's s 'sustainable, long-term solutions'. The authority aims to improve overall traffic flow by 20 to 30 per cent through smart infrastructure solutions. Last year, the authority revealed a three-year plan to develop 16 bus stations and six bus depots in several locations including Al Khawaneej, Al Qusais, Jebel Ali, and Al Quoz. Strategic intervention The RTA spokesperson further added that the initiative prioritised buses in congested areas. 'By doing so, it aims to mitigate traffic delays, support scheduled services, and ensure timely arrivals and departures for commuters.' He added that the strategic intervention allows passengers to plan their journeys more efficiently as they can rely on bus trips to be more likely to run on schedule despite traffic congestions. 'Building on this success, the Public Transport Agency remains committed to further improving punctuality and reliability,' he added. '(There are) continued enhancements to the bus priority system, alongside other operational measures, reflecting RTA's dedication to providing smooth, dependable, and user-focused transportation solutions across the city.' Public transport usage in Dubai continues to rise. In 2024, the city recorded 188 million public bus passengers — an 8 per cent increase compared to 2023. The RTA regularly reviews and adjusts routes based on data and passenger feedback. Last year, it launched nine express routes, added nine metro link connections, and introduced four new taxi routes in high-demand zones. RTA is also promoting alternatives to private car use — encouraging residents to shift toward public transport and shared mobility options in a bid to create a more sustainable, efficient transport ecosystem.
