Quality Bus Corridor delivery report 1999/ /07

Transcription

1 Quality Bus Corridor delivery report 999/00 006/07

2 Quality Bus Corridor delivery report 999/00-006/07 Foreword Contents Welcome to the 006 delivery report on the Quality Bus Corridor programme. 84% of all public transport journeys in Greater Manchester are made by bus, making it the most important mode of public transport locally. Our QBC programme is about improving the total bus journey for passengers but also about delivering benefits for all road users and the local communities the corridors run through. This report highlights the innovative ways we have developed and delivered schemes and the real results this is generating. Initial analysis of the effect introducing a QBC has had on one corridor Manchester to Hazel Grove reveals encouraging results. On this route bus patronage has grown since the introduction of QBC measures bucking national declining trends. Chair s foreword Introduction What are QBCs? Why do we need QBCs? The waiting environment Looking after local communities QBC programme network map Giving buses priority Improvements for pedestrians and cyclists I hope you will find this report informative and interesting and I look forward to the benefits of QBCs being shared by more of our communities. Councillor Roger Jones Chair, Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Authority Getting local communities involved Benefits for all 4 6 The next steps 8 The partners 0

3 4 Quality Bus Corridor delivery report 999/00-006/07 Quality Bus Corridor delivery report 999/00-006/07 5 Introduction What are QBCs? Over 0% of Greater Manchester s population do not have regular use of a car. Public transport is vital in helping everybody reach the jobs and facilities Greater Manchester has to offer. The need to make public transport, walking and cycling more attractive and to give people a genuine choice about how they travel is a key aim of the Greater Manchester Local Transport Plan (LTP). Of all the journeys currently made by public transport in Greater Manchester, 84% are made by people travelling on buses. This makes buses the most important mode of public transport for the residents of Greater Manchester. Our plans for improving bus services including introducing a network of Quality Bus Corridors (QBCs) form a key element of our LTP. We recognise that if buses are to fulfil their potential and encourage more people out of their cars then a step change in the attractiveness of the services needs to be made. Since 999, Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Authority and GMPTE have been working in partnership with the ten Greater Manchester district councils and bus operators to develop and implement one of the largest bus improvement programmes outside London. Programme objectives The objectives for the QBC programme are to: reduce the variability of bus journey times and consequently improve reliability of services; reduce bus journey times to make them more competitive with the car; increase the comfort and convenience of bus travel for all users; ensure that bus services provide a real alternative to car use and encourage bus operators to invest time savings and reliability benefits in enhancement of services; and improve pedestrian and cycling facilities along the corridors. The programme aims to deliver improvements for all road users but focuses particularly on the needs of pedestrians, cyclists and bus passengers. QBCs are not just about introducing bus lanes. Because each of the corridors is different, and has different demands placed upon it, a range of measures can be taken to suit the needs of buses and those of the local community. The package of measures that are being implemented on QBCs include: bus stop improvements to make it safer and more comfortable to wait for a bus and easier to board the bus; traffic management and environmental improvements to revitalise local centres and improve traffic flow; bus priority improvements to increase reliability and speed up journey times; enhancing cycle and pedestrian facilities; improving information to the public on the services provided; and working with the bus operators to improve the quality of the buses. Why do we need QBCs? QBCs bring many environmental and social benefits more reliable buses mean less pollution, and better services mean everyone can have easier access to jobs, education, healthcare services and local shops whether they have a car or not. Congestion on our roads continues to grow and building more roads will not solve the problem. Whilst vehicles are much cleaner than in the past they still produce pollutants which affect the air we breathe and can directly affect our health. We all need to think about using public transport rather than a car for some journeys. Making more trips on public transport benefits everyone by helping to reduce congestion and pollution buses generally produce fewer greenhouse gases per passenger-mile than private transport. Our QBC programme also aims to improve the service buses can offer. When congestion occurs, buses cannot divert along another street like other traffic as they have to continue along a set route. This can make buses unreliable and means that passengers may have to wait longer for their bus and the journey takes longer overall. Through our QBC programme we want to try and protect buses from congestion and make them a more attractive mode of travel so that people will choose to use them more often.

4 6 Quality Bus Corridor delivery report 999/00-006/07 Quality Bus Corridor delivery report 999/00-006/07 7 The Greater Manchester QBC network covers a total distance of 76.7km (7.7 miles) encompassing 4 routes and various hot-spot sites. A map showing the routes is shown on pages 6-7 Programme funding The programme started in 999/000 and was expanded in 00/00 following a successful major scheme bid to the government for further funding. The current programme totals over 80m over nine years and funding for the corridors comes from three streams topslice, SEMMMS (South East Manchester Multi-Modal Strategy) and Northern Orbital. The following table shows which QBCs are funded from each of the three funding pots. Topslice Eccles Old Road SEMMMS Manchester - Hyde Northern Orbital Bolton - Littleborough Key achievements of the programme Two years remain to complete the programme. To date 60m has been spent and a summary of the measures delivered so far is described below: 8 bus lanes covering a combined distance of 7.5km (7. miles). 9 cycle lanes covering a combined distance of 9.km (.4 miles). 64 cycle advance stop lines at traffic signal junctions. 48 traffic management measures to facilitate general traffic improvements and to ease the passage of buses including works such as turn bans, one-way orders, road marking changes and bus-only restrictions. 79 parking and loading spaces created and formalised to benefit local areas and to reduce the impact on passing bus services. These are either marked on-street or in new lay-bys. 85 traffic signal improvements with 9 pedestrian facilities being introduced across existing junction arms. 7 existing junctions included within the SCOOT (Split Cycle Offset Optimisation Technique) Urban Traffic Control system to improve their operating efficiency. 9 new traffic signal junctions created, all with new pedestrian facilities. 97 pelican and/or puffin crossings provided. un-signalised crossings provided such as refuge islands or kerb extensions to reduce crossing widths. Over 400 bus stops within the programme upgraded to QBC standards with easy access kerbing, new improved boarding platforms, new stop poles and shelters where required. Leigh - Bolton A6 Manchester - Hazel Grove Lees - Manchester Rochdale-Oldham-Ashton-Hyde A56/A665 Bury - Manchester Stalybridge-Ashton-Manchester Wigan - Leigh, Atherton Manchester - Altrincham Stockport - Hyde Stockport - Brinnington Stockport - Marple Stockport - Cheadle Hulme Stockport - Cheadle Stockport - Urmston Manchester - East Didsbury Manchester - Northenden Withington - Didsbury Stockport - Reddish Airport routes Manchester - Rochdale Middleton - Heywood Numbers refer to position of QBC on map on pages 6-7 The table below is a summary of delivery by funding stream. Routes Budget (to March 06) Bus stops Bus lanes Cycle lanes Pedestrian improvements Parking/loading bays New traffic signals/improvements Traffic management Topslice 9 4m SEMMMS.8m Northern Orbital 7.m Total 4 6.9m

5 8 Quality Bus Corridor delivery report 999/00-006/07 Quality Bus Corridor delivery report 999/00-006/07 9 The waiting environment Over 50 new bus shelters have been installed since the QBC programme started, including 75 in 005/006. Over 400 bus stops have been upgraded with a raised kerb, improved information and a shelter where possible. At certain key locations higher standards of shelter have been introduced. Real time passenger information has also been installed and the system is currently undergoing testing. Travelling by public transport is not just about the bus, train or tram trip all journeys inevitably involve some waiting for services. A key aim of QBCs is to improve the quality and comfort of the environment passengers wait in. A number of issues are considered as part of the process of upgrading routes to QBC standards. These are: Can we improve the location of the bus stop? Is the street lighting adequate? Can we improve the information at the bus stop? How easy is it to board the bus? Is the drainage adequate at the stop so that people do not have to walk through puddles or risk being splashed by passing traffic? Can we install a shelter? Should we provide a seat and/or litter bin? Over 50 new bus shelters have been installed and over 400 bus stops upgraded within Greater Manchester since the QBC programme started.

6 0 Quality Bus Corridor delivery report 999/00-006/07 Quality Bus Corridor delivery report 999/00-006/07 The pavement is built out into the road so that the bus can stop parallel to the kerb without the need to take away parking spaces. The first stage of improving a bus stop is to assess whether it is in a good location. Over the years, the use of streets can change, for example by the development of new retail units, and it may make sense to move the bus stop to reflect this. Safety is key and any stop location will be assessed to see whether it is in a safe location both for passenger security and road safety. We also want to minimise the delays caused to other road traffic whilst the bus is loading. We recognise that buses are not the only road users. Placing bus stops at the roadside where there is parking removes about 5m of road space. To minimise this we build bus boarders where the pavement is built out into the road so that the bus can stop parallel to the kerb without the need to take away parking spaces. Typically a bus boarder takes 6m of kerb space and is designed so that other vehicles would not stop at it. Once the position of the stop has been identified we consult with local residents so that any local issues are highlighted before a final decision is taken on the siting of the stop and/or shelter. The bus stop platform is also usually raised to reduce the gap between the bus and the pavement to make it easier for people to get on and off the bus.

7 Quality Bus Corridor delivery report 999/00-006/07 Quality Bus Corridor delivery report 999/00-006/07 Looking after local communities 48 traffic management measures have been introduced. 79 parking or loading spaces have been provided. 9 new traffic signal junctions have been built all with pedestrian phases. QBCs run along the busiest routes in Greater Manchester which can lead to conflicts between the need to keep traffic flowing and to provide parking. Local shops require short stay parking nearby for customers and service vehicles. The programme has provided designated areas for this purpose which allows the flow of general traffic to become smoother as vehicles do not have to weave in and out of parked vehicles. Where necessary, to accommodate the needs of residents, the QBC programme includes the installation of a number of residents parking bays. Where properties have no off-street parking, sheltered parking bays have been built to enable residents to park close to their homes. This allows the inside lane of the road to remain clear so that buses can make unhindered progress. At the end of the parking bays, the pavement is built out into the road to make it easier for pedestrians to cross. Buses are the most effective way of transporting large numbers of people from a wide area into congested centres but we know that there are some journeys that will need to be made by car. Our QBC programme aims to ensure that a balance is struck between providing priority for buses and keeping general traffic flowing. As part of the QBC programme, 48 traffic management measures have been introduced, 79 parking or loading spaces provided and 9 new traffic signal junctions have been introduced, all with pedestrian phases.

8 4 Quality Bus Corridor delivery report 999/00-006/07 Quality Bus Corridor delivery report 999/00-006/07 5 Case studies Bridgefield Street, Stockport This road suffered from congestion caused by car park traffic being mixed with buses using a busy bus stop. By providing new entrances and exits from the car parks, cars are now able to enter and leave without using Bridgefield Street, reducing delays for all road users and making Bridgefield Street a more inviting place for pedestrians and other road users. The scheme has produced journey-time savings of: minutes (6%) Weekday off peaks ½ minutes (6%) Weekday pm peaks minutes (54%) Across all time periods inc. Saturday Before Before After After Market Street, Atherton The main shopping street in Atherton used to cater for all traffic heading west. As part of a package of measures, general traffic was diverted onto Mealhouse Lane. New paving and road surfacing improved Market Street and protected loading bays were installed to service the shops. Market Street was closed to general traffic in the main shopping period making it more attractive to pedestrians. Withington Withington used to suffer from heavy congestion. The threelane road was catering for through traffic, local traffic and people wanting to park. With no scope for widening the road, another solution was needed. The scheme we introduced narrowed the lanes so there were two lanes wide enough for general traffic. To ensure that traffic in these lanes kept moving, the amount of traffic allowed into the centre was metered at either end. This means that the queues in the centre of Withington have been relocated to the approach roads. Clearly defined parking and loading bays were built so that these vehicles would not delay through traffic. Cycle parking was provided and pedestrian crossings improved so that people no longer had to cross between parked cars. Traffic management schemes have also been introduced at: Rusholme, Manchester; Chorlton, Manchester; Brinnington, Stockport; and Huddersfield Road, Oldham.

9 6 Quality Bus Corridor delivery report 999/00-006/07 Quality Bus Corridor delivery report 999/00-006/07 7 QBC network map 6 5 Key: Topslice Corridors included in 5% topslice of Minor works (0-year programme) Eccles Old Road Leigh - Bolton A6 Manchester - Hazel Grove Lees - Manchester Rochdale-Oldham-Ashton-Hyde A56/A665 Bury - Manchester Stalybridge-Ashton-Manchester Wigan - Leigh, Atherton Manchester - Altrincham SEMMMS Major QBC bid Manchester - Hyde Stockport - Hyde Stockport - Brinnington Stockport - Marple Stockport - Cheadle Hulme Stockport - Cheadle Stockport - Urmston Manchester - East Didsbury Manchester - Northenden Withington - Didsbury Stockport - Reddish Airport routes Northern Orbital Major QBC bid Bolton Littleborough Manchester Rochdale Middleton - Heywood Leigh/Salford/Manchester busway (Major scheme bid) Potential site specific bus priority measures (0-year programme) Metrolink GMPTE /0-647 LA08900L

10 8 Quality Bus Corridor delivery report 999/00-006/07 Quality Bus Corridor delivery report 999/00-006/07 9 Giving buses priority 8 bus lanes have been introduced covering 7.5km. QBCs are not just about bus lanes, although bus lanes are the most visible element of some QBCs and are a way of achieving significant reductions in bus journey times. Cyclists and hackney carriages can usually make use of bus lanes so they benefit too. Whilst this is important, the effect on other traffic is minimised by keeping the capacity through the busiest junctions at the same level. With the increasing number of cars on our roads, and the distances that people travel, traffic flows will continue to deteriorate unless something is done. The QBC programme has financed a number of upgrades at traffic lights. By changing the traffic light controllers that have fixed cycle timings to a system that allocates priority according to traffic flow, the capacity at a junction can be increased. 7 of these SCOOT systems have been introduced. A further 85 sets of traffic signals have been improved as part of the programme. Substantial savings to bus journey times can be made by providing short, bus-only, sections of road. This allows buses to avoid congested areas or busy junctions.

11 0 Quality Bus Corridor delivery report 999/00-006/07 Quality Bus Corridor delivery report 999/00-006/07 Case studies Portwood Roundabout, Stockport Here a short length of bus lane gives access to a bus-only road across a large, busy roundabout resulting in bus journey-time reductions with minimal impact on other traffic. 5% journey-time savings over all time periods (4 seconds) Hazel Grove The 9 bus service regularly lost time at the terminus as it was delayed exiting the turnaround facility to join the general traffic heading back into Manchester. The scheme implemented uses traffic signals to allow the bus to get priority over the general traffic so it can pull out and start its return journey. The signals also incorporate a pedestrian crossing phase. 47% journey-time saving in am peak (69 seconds) Royton, Oldham 4% journey-time saving in pm peak ( seconds) 4% journey-time saving in off peak 5% improvement in (50 seconds) bus journey times Two new bus lanes have been introduced. At the end of the southbound bus lane there is a bus gate allowing the bus to re-enter the traffic flow near to the front of the queue. The southbound bus lane is also physically separated from the general traffic lane which reduces the chances of other traffic using it illegally.

12 Quality Bus Corridor delivery report 999/00-006/07 Quality Bus Corridor delivery report 999/00-006/07 Improvements for pedestrians and cyclists refuge islands or kerb extensions for pedestrians have been built. 97 new traffic light controlled crossings have been introduced to help people cross roads safely. 4 pedestrian phases introduced at existing junctions. 9 new cycle lanes have been installed covering a total of 9.km. 64 cycle advanced stop lines have been introduced these are areas at traffic lights which are in front of the rest of the traffic so that cyclists can be seen more easily and can make turning manoeuvres before other traffic. 97 new traffic controlled crossings and 64 cycle advanced stop lines have been introduced. Pedestrians and cyclists are also benefiting from our QBC programme. When we provide sheltered parking and loading bays the kerb is built out a the ends of the bays to make it easier for pedestrians to cross by narrowing the road and improving visibility as the parked vehicles do not block the pedestrian s view along the road. Pedestrian refuge islands on wider roads mean that people can cross in two stages making it easier and safer. Case study Junction of Piccadilly with Ducie Street, Manchester The traffic lights were improved and the pavement was widened to allow a larger area for pedestrians to stand. The pavement on Piccadilly was widened to separate the large numbers of people walking towards the station from the bus stops.

13 4 Quality Bus Corridor delivery report 999/00-006/07 Quality Bus Corridor delivery report 999/00-006/07 5 Getting local communities involved We want everyone affected by our QBC programme to help shape our plans and be part of delivering the benefits. Consultation and public information programmes are developed for each corridor and are helping to support the delivery of the programme. Consultation techniques The consultation and information programmes we have undertaken have been defined by a number of techniques specifically designed to enable key stakeholders and members of the public the opportunity to comment on, and get involved in, schemes to improve transport links across Greater Manchester. Case studies Northern Orbital Over 0,000 local residents, traders and councillors have been involved in delivering the QBC project in Bolton, Bury, Rochdale and Manchester which are covered by the Northern Orbital programme. In most instances, the majority of respondents said they thought that the QBC proposals would improve journeys and facilities for bus passengers and cyclists as well as making it easier to cross roads at busy junctions. The challenges of delivering the schemes were also recognised resulting in suggestions and ideas for how our proposals might be improved. SEMMMS Over 50,000 members of the public received information about QBC programmes being introduced in the SEMMMS area. During initial consultations respondents indicated strongly that traffic congestion was holding up buses and other traffic and was a problem that needed addressing. When presented with our proposals to improve bus journeys and facilities for other road users and pedestrians, the majority of respondents supported the schemes. Local councillors are involved from the beginning and receive comprehensive information and updates though consultation leaflets, exhibitions, audio CDs, telephone information lines and dedicated websites. The same materials and ways of commenting are available to members of the public via extensive distribution networks. Materials are distributed to all properties within a defined consultation area via a door-to-door mail drop. Information is also made widely available in the local community through Community Access Points in shops, libraries, community centres and other community amenities. Key lessons Our public information and consultation activities have shown that involving local communities at an early stage enhances the understanding of the proposals and can lead to increased support for them. At the same time, using a variety of different, innovative methods and approaches means that all groups within a community can be actively involved in discussions about these important projects.

14 6 Quality Bus Corridor delivery report 999/00-006/07 Quality Bus Corridor delivery report 999/00-006/07 7 Benefits for all Bus passengers have benefited from bus lanes, improved traffic flows and bus stop upgrades. Facilities have been improved for pedestrians and cyclists the most vulnerable of all road users. Other road users have benefited from improved traffic management facilities and newer traffic signals. Work is underway to evaluate the benefits achieved from QBCs. As the programme is not yet complete a full analysis is not yet possible but some interim results are presented on the opposite page as an indication of what we can expect to find. A6 outcomes Increased patronage Reliability improvements Whole route journey time improvements Scheme journey time improvements Pedestrian improvements improvements for cyclists Improved quality (fleet age) YES YES Partly met Partly met YES YES YES Case study The A6 between Manchester and Hazel Grove This route has received the most measures to date and initial evaluation work shows that some of the main benefits are that: patronage has improved year on year since QBC measures were introduced on the 9 bus route. This is against the general decline (and more recent stabilisation) of patronage across Greater Manchester; reliability has improved since 00 and the 9 route is one of the best performing routes in Greater Manchester; over 0 pedestrian crossings have been provided and a number of improvements made to existing facilities; cyclists have benefited from.7km of cycle lanes and cycle advance areas; investment in the bus fleet has reduced the age of buses with over half the fleet now less than three years old. Further investment is expected during the next 8 months. Work is continuing on the A6 with traffic light pre-emption work and further work on signalling strategies along the corridor due to be delivered during the period to further improve reliability and journey times of buses. Other routes are currently being analysed and the results will be published when they are available. Benefits are expected to include: increased patronage on buses; improved reliability of buses; and localised journey-time savings for buses where major schemes have been delivered. Below is a summary of some of the key benefits achieved on other corridors to date. Location Chester Road, Stretford Oldham Road, Royton King Street, Oldham Portwood Roundabout Bridgefield Street Birchfield Road Measure Bus lane Bus lane Bus lane Bus lane Traffic management Bus lane Headline bus journey-time saving 8% 5% 7% 47% 54% % Benefit Buses per hour 5 (bus every 4 mins) 9 (bus every mins) 5 (bus every.5 mins) 0 (bus every mins) 4 (bus every.5 mins) 0 (bus every 6 mins)

15 8 Quality Bus Corridor delivery report 999/00-006/07 The next steps The QBC programme runs to 008 with more schemes being delivered to further improve the management of the road network. Key areas of activity include: Completion of the Bus Stop Upgrade Programme across the QBC network; Delivery of a number of large schemes including: Sudden roundabout signalisation and pedestrian, bus and cyclist improvements (Rochdale) Bury Old Road/Sheepfoot Lane junction improvement (Bury) Oldham Road/Broadway junction improvement (Oldham) Oldham Road/Kingsway junction re-modelling (Rochdale) Further traffic management measures to enhance local communities such as: Didsbury village (Manchester) Stretford district centre (Trafford) More bus priority measures such as: Travis Brow bus only link road (Stockport) Bolton Road/Ainsworth Road bus lane (Bury) Bus lane enforcement a hearts and minds campaign to educate drivers of the problems caused by illegally parking and driving in bus lanes is planned this year. From September people who drive illegally in bus lanes in Manchester will be fined 60. Didsbury residents will soon see an upgraded larger shelter to provide an improved waiting environment. Work continues to be delivered on street new bus lane currently being implemented in Bury. The programme will end in March 008. As a result, a significant amount of work over the next two years will focus on further evaluation of the programme and deciding what happens next. Key areas of activity will include: Further review and identification of benefits being achieved; Identification of lessons learnt from the programme; and Development of the next generation of QBCs to build on the extensive work already undertaken in Greater Manchester. The QBC programme is now beginning to deliver real benefits for all road users across the whole of Greater Manchester. This report has highlighted the varied measures which have been, or will be, introduced as part of the QBC programme. It demonstrates the imaginative planning that has achieved better conditions for passengers as traffic continues to grow. Buses will continue to be the lifeblood of public transport for many years to come and the mode that carries the most passengers. As the bus industry continues to mature, and partnerships between local operators and councils increase, the benefits of QBCs will become more of a reality.

16 0 Quality Bus Corridor programme report 999/00-006/07 The partners The success of the QBC programme is largely due to the ongoing long-term partnership working between the PTE/A, the ten Districts and the bus operators. The QBC programme has been implemented as part of the Integrate Project by the following partner organisations: Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Authority & Executive Metropolitan Districts of Greater Manchester: Bolton MBC Bury MBC Manchester City Council Oldham MBC Rochdale MBC City of Salford Stockport MBC Tameside MBC Trafford MBC Wigan MBC Greater Manchester Urban Traffic Control Unit Association of Greater Manchester Bus Operators Highways Agency Each partner has been instrumental in supporting the QBC initiative and delivering real improvements to help the transport situation along the QBC corridors. Greater Manchester Urban Traffic Control Unit Association of Greater Manchester Bus Operators

17 For more information on the Quality Bus Corridor programme in Greater Manchester, please contact: QBC programme team GMPTE (address below) Phone: