The struggle for bus services in congested cities is a real-life battle against time, and it's a battle that's being lost. The heart of the issue is this: bus journey times are being killed by the growing congestion on our roads.
In Scotland, the average speed of buses has dropped significantly, from 14.9mph to a sluggish 11.3mph. This decline is not unique to Scotland; it's a problem faced by bus operators across the country. The Number 38 bus service in Edinburgh, a vital link for commuters and residents, is a prime example of this struggle.
The service, which connects key areas like a college, retail park, and two hospitals, is now taking longer due to increased traffic, peak-time congestion, and a lack of dedicated bus lanes or priority measures. For regular passengers like Nico Reverie, the waiting at traffic pinch points can be a source of stress and frustration.
"You can see the hold-ups, but there's little you can do about it," Nico explains. "The delays can be frustrating, especially when you need to catch a connecting bus. It means I have to allow more time to get to work, just to ensure I'm not late."
Research highlights a significant increase in the running times of the Number 38 service over the last 20 years. This is attributed to rising traffic volumes, reduced speed limits, and the introduction of cycle lanes. As a result, the frequency of the service has been reduced, impacting passengers like Francis Boyle, who relies on the bus to get to work at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh.
"It's a good service overall, but it doesn't run for long enough during the day, especially considering it serves two major hospitals," Francis says. "Congestion is an issue, but I'm fortunate to use it during off-peak times. However, roadworks seem to be a constant challenge, impacting journeys across the city."
The CPT study reveals that bus operators across Scotland are facing a dilemma. They must add more buses and adjust timetables to combat congestion, but this comes at a time when bus usage is declining overall. Paul White, director of CPT Scotland, emphasizes the impact of traffic on bus services:
"When a bus is stuck in traffic, it not only lengthens the passenger's journey time and increases operational costs, but it also makes bus travel less attractive, potentially leading to reduced bus use, service cuts, or higher fares."
Mr. White suggests that local authorities and operators should work together to implement priority measures, such as bus lanes, bus gates, and traffic light priority. He points to the success of controversial bus gates in Aberdeen, where journey times improved by up to 18.8% and passenger numbers increased.
The CPT study further claims that increasing bus speeds in congested urban areas from an average of 7.8mph to 13.2mph could add 11.3 million extra journeys annually. This would also reduce operator costs by 38%, as fewer drivers and buses would be needed on each route.
In the long term, the use of Artificial Intelligence to analyze real-time and historical data to prioritize buses and reduce delays is a promising development. This technology is currently being tested at over twenty junctions in Glasgow, offering hope for improved bus journey times.
Every second counts when it comes to keeping bus services efficient and attractive to passengers.
Lothian Buses, a publicly-owned operator widely regarded as one of the UK's best, is not immune to the challenges of congestion. Willie Hamilton, the firm's operations director, identifies a significant increase in roadworks as his biggest headache.
"It's important to remember that a bus carries up to 129 people. Impacting a bus is not the same as impacting one person's journey in a car. This is the message we're trying to get across," Willie explains. "As car usage grows and the city expands, the challenges we face become magnified, and we have to invest more just to maintain our current level of service."
Mr. Hamilton believes that shaving seconds off journey times at busy junctions, with more priority measures in place, can make a significant difference to passengers' experiences.
And this is the part most people miss: the impact of congestion on bus services is not just about the inconvenience of longer journey times. It's about the very future of public transport and its ability to serve our communities effectively.
What are your thoughts on this issue? Do you think enough is being done to address congestion and support public transport? Feel free to share your opinions and experiences in the comments below!
