Media Release


Transit New Zealand

Christchurch Regional Office

Media release

30 July 2008

Feedback from residents drives Transit's decision on bus priority measures

Residents living alongside Main South Road are overwhelmingly in support of introducing peak period bus lanes, following consultation with Transit New Zealand (Transit) last year.

In October 2007, Transit wrote to residents living on Main South Road asking them for feedback on a number of initiatives designed to improve the reliability of bus services.

Transit's Canterbury Regional Manager, Colin Knaggs says, "The feedback we received showed support for peak period bus lanes and opposition to permanent 24-hour bus lanes. As a result we will only be constructing peak period bus lanes."

Transit is introducing three initiatives that will assist buses to move around the city more quickly and easily. Peak period bus lanes will be established on Main South Road and Main North Road and the right turn from Travis Road into Bassett Street will be removed.

"Peak period bus lanes will operate from 7am to 9pm and 3pm to 6pm and allow buses to bypass lines of congested traffic. This will make it faster for people to get into and out of the city and ultimately encourage more people to start using Christchurch's bus services.

Main South Road is the southern gateway to Christchurch for buses to and from the Selwyn district. In the last five years traffic flows have increased by 15 per cent, with resulting congestion adversely affecting bus service reliability.

"With the Selwyn district expected to grow by around 10,000 people in the next ten years, congestion is only going to get worse unless changes are made now. By 2021 Christchurch's population is predicted to increase to 440,000 people and as Greater Christchurch has the highest rate of car ownership in New Zealand it is important to encourage more use of public transport. This will help ensure that the increase in population does not adversely impact on the city's existing transport infrastructure.

"The increase in population not only has serious implications for transportation but also for the environment. One full bus is equal to 40 fewer cars on the road. However, to encourage people to use the bus, we have to provide a reliable service, and bus priority measures, such as peak period bus lanes will help achieve this," says Colin Knaggs.

The bus priority measures proposed by Transit form part of a city-wide proposal for bus priority measures being considered by Christchurch City Council and Environment Canterbury.

Christchurch City Council Mayor Bob Parker says he is delighted Transit, Environment Canterbury and the Council are working together on bus priority measures.

"A reliable, efficient public transport system is one of the keys to a sustainable city. It is important that we all make this a priority and put in place measures to ensure our buses arrive on time."

Environment Canterbury chief executive, Dr Bryan Jenkins says, "Environment Canterbury believes that all bus priority measures will assist in improving reliability for our Metro services, thus making it more attractive to existing and additional users, and reducing traffic congestion. Our Metro planning staff with also be able to schedule services to better utilise the Metro fleet and this will reduce our carbon footprint in providing these services."

Colin Knaggs says, "Subject to funding, construction of the bus lanes is currently expected to start next year. The majority of the work will be related to changing road markings and road signs. There will also be some limited kerb and channel work. During the design stage and prior to any construction taking place, Transit will ensure residents are kept informed."

To find out more about the proposed bus priority measures visit www.transit.govt.nz/planning/buspriority.jsp

For more information please contact:
Colin Knaggs
Canterbury Regional Manager
Transit New Zealand
Christchurch
Tel 03 366 4455
Mob 0274 953 624
Visit us at www.transit.govt.nz