On 18/01/2024 10:30 pm, Simon Mason wrote:

The decision to return bus lanes to peak-time only use is a "significant step backwards", one of the region's leading bus companies has said.

At present, bus lanes are enforced between 7am-6.30pm six days a week. Yesterday, Hull City Council confirmed that this would revert to 7am-9.30am and 4pm-6.30pm, with the changes likely to come into force a short time after road signs are altered in

March.

However, East Yorkshire Buses, which runs services in Hull and the East Riding, said it was deeply disappointed by the decision to "downgrade bus priorities within the city". Ben Gilligan, the managing director, questioned whether the council was

committed to "supporting the bus network during a crucial stage of recovery".

Mr Gilligan said: “Public transport is a very efficient use of road space, and a double decker bus can take up to 75 single occupancy cars off the road, making a substantial difference to congestion levels within the city. We are very disappointed to

learn of Hull City Council ’s movement to reduce bus lane operations.

He added: “We will continue to work in partnership with the city council to deliver the best outcomes for our customers who will be most affected by this change.”

Council leaders have argued that the changes to bus lane times are in line with the wishes of road users, following a major transport survey conducted last year. However, council highways officers had previously said that the changes would make little

difference to congestion.

In a statement released today, East Yorkshire argued that the move contradicted the city's own strategies to encourage sustainable transport. "The company has communicated extensively with local political leaders, emphasising that the proposed

reduction in bus lane hours would not benefit car drivers’ journey times, but would instead significantly impact the reliability of bus services, especially during afternoon peaks," the statement said.

"This decision is surprising, especially considering that it comes from a Liberal Democrat-led council, given the party’s commitment to sustainable transport. At the Liberal Democrat conference last year, the party emphasized the importance the

importance of buses and an accessible and affordable mode of public transport, pledging support to local authorities in increasing public transport usage.

"Furthermore, Hull City Council’s 2030 Carbon Neutral Strategy identifies mobility as one of its eight key themes, focusing on enabling a shift to sustainable travel. As part of this strategy, the city’s mobility system has to actively support and

enable sustainable travel as a priority. The reduction in bus lane provisions contradicts the city’s own strategies by hindering consistent and attractive journey times and impending the efficiency of the bus network."

East Yorkshire said it was "actively investing" in increasing the frequency of services in order to encourage more people to travel by bus, with key city routes due to see additional buses from Sunday January 28. Passenger numbers had risen by 15 per

cent over the past 12 months, thanks to the £2 fare cap and more reliable services.

The company said it had been working with council officers to "revolutionise Hull’s transport network" by bringing 40 electric buses to the city in 2025. This would "play a major part in improving air quality and reducing environmental impact of bus

operations".

According to a council decision record, the changes to bus lane times will be monitored closely and the council will look at other ways to promote bus travel. Cllr Mark Ieronimo, the transport portfolio holder, said peak time-only bus lanes were an

attempt to act on what people wanted.

"The council should be actively listening and valuing the views of its residents. When the bus lane operating times were changed initially, this didn't happen, and the council has felt the backlash. On the bus lane operating times, residents must now

feel that the council is listening to them and acting in their interests."

https://www.hulldailymail.co.uk/news/hull-east-yorkshire-news/hull-bus-firm-condemns-return-9043144

That company really WANTS to harm drivers out of sheer spite, doesn't it?

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