Edinburgh City Council Implements New Bus Priority Measures
Scottish Councils have received a funding boost from the Scottish Government to invest in projects that support the introduction of Low Emission Zones (LEZs) – a key initiative introduced to protect public health by reducing levels of air pollution from road traffic.
Edinburgh City Council received £2.4 million as part of the public transport (PTP) funding. This was used to implement bus priority measures across Edinburgh that would increase reliability in bus travel times. These measures hope to encourage bus travel and decrease the use of private vehicles, helping to tackle air pollution in the city.
The PTP funding allowed the Edinburgh Bus Station Management System to be upgraded which included:
- Installing new hardware and arranging staff training
- The replacement of bus shelters
- The introduction and repair of bus lane enforcement cameras.
The new hardware included a state-of-the-art information system was installed at Edinburgh Bus Station. The new system caters specifically for the needs of the customers using the station, providing a vastly better service.
Between January and March 2020, fifty older bus shelters that were in poor condition were replaced with new, open and transparent shelters. The new facilities are more modern and, in a number of cases, provide more space for users. This will allow for social distancing measures when they are required.
By enhancing public transport infrastructure, Edinburgh City Council hopes to make bus travel a more popular option and encourage commuters to shift away from private cars and use public transport more often.
The PTP funding was also used to buy a further eleven enforcement camera devices to monitor the use of bus lanes. These can also be used for LEZ enforcement in the future. Cameras will help reduce delays to public transport, make journey times more reliable, enhance road safety for cyclists and motorcyclists, reduce frustration amongst motorists and help free up police resources.
