BUS LANE BULLETIN
LEICESTER DRIVERS: MIXED REACTION TO CAMERAS
Taxi drivers say the installation of enforce- ment cameras in two bus lanes have speed- ed up journeys. Cam- eras in Charles Street and Causeway Lane, Leicester, have caught hundreds of people entering the restricted road since they were installed last month. RMT Leicester and Rut- land branch secretary Gurpal Singh Atwal told the Leicester Mercury: “We at the RMT brought our concerns to assis- tant mayor Rory Palmer previously about the problem of illegal activi- ty in bus lanes and the impact this has to con- gestion. Taxi drivers
have seen a huge bene- fit since these cameras went up - not only are the roads clear so we can pull over and access
passengers
more quickly, but jour- ney times have also decreased as have fares.” However, council boss- es have refused to let private hire drivers use bus lanes in the city. A delegation represent- ing the drivers met with Leicester’s deputy city mayor Rory Palmer to try to get permission to use the lanes. Mr Palmer said no exception would be made to enable PHVs to use the bus lanes.
He said: “What we have agreed to do is to meet them again in a month or so to hear from them what, if any, detrimental effect this enforcement has had on their business.” He said the council would be reviewing the bus lane policy over the next year. John Lyons, who rep- resented private hire drivers at the meeting, said: “Naturally we are disappointed with the outcome. As far as we are concerned there has been an unspoken agreement that we can use the lanes if we need to and we will not get fined.”
FAREHAM CABBIES FIGHT BUS LANE BAN AS TRAFFIC BACKS UP IN TOWN
Cab drivers are look- ing into possible legal action against new bus lanes that have caused traffic jams. The controversial lanes were introduced on several roads around Fareham town centre two months ago, aimed at speeding up buses using the rapid transit route between Fareham and Gosport. At a meeting of the Fareham Hackney Association, which included representa- tives from many local taxi firms, it was agreed they would consider pursuing a legal chal-
£25.00
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lenge to their current ban on using the lanes, which are being trialled for 18 months. Paul Webber, chairman of the association, told the Portsmouth News: “The public are pretty much ignoring the bus lanes around the Quay Street roundabout, but we are trying to abide by them because we’re noticeable with our badges and top lights.” Cllr Peter Davies, Fare- ham’s spokesman for public transport, said: “On principle it would only seem fair that the taxis could also use the lanes - that’s the
same as it is for most other local authorities. Whatever scheme you have, it must include taxis as they are an important part of the public transport mix.” Hampshire County Council, which is responsible for the lanes, has previously said that although the lanes are limited to just buses, this will be kept under review, and could change. While the trial is due to last 18 months, the county council has said it could complete it earlier if it feels it has gathered enough data.
SAFETY FEARS OVER PROPOSALS TO LIFT LEEDS BUS LANE TAXI BAN
Plans to allow taxis to use bus lanes in Leeds have sparked safety concerns among cyc- lists and councillors. The city has over 30 sections of bus lane covering about 20km, restricted to buses, cyclists and emer- gency vehicles. Following a review of their operation,
the
council is proposing to spend £20,000 on new traffic orders that would permit the city’s hackney carriages - but not PHVs - to use the lanes. But councillors and cyclists want a review of the decision. Cllr Ryk Downes told the Yorkshire Evening Post: “The only benefi- ciaries appear to be hackney carriage driv-
ers, while there are disadvantages to bus users, cyclists and pri- vate hire drivers.” Cllr John Blingworth said the council had a duty to promote public health and added: “There will be two sep- arate effects on public health - the proposal may directly increase the number of road accidents and it is likely to discourage cycling.” Metro, West Yorkshire public transport auth- ority, has argued that extending the use of bus lanes to other vehicles could cause delays to bus services. There are currently 537 taxis in Leeds and a council report outlin- ing the bus lane plan says they are an
important part of a sustainable
public
transport system. It points out other major cities already allow taxis to use bus lanes. Mmmm… The latest NPHA survey indicates that 138 local authori- ties in the UK allow hackney carriages to use their bus lanes. This is quite a high percentage of the 384 councils in total, in that a very large num- ber of local authorities do not have bus lanes. This decision we believe must remain local in its resolution, as each individual locality has different transport
layouts,
needs, and numbers of buses and taxis – and cyclists.- Ed.
PHTM AUGUST 2012
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