Buses

Bus priority measures

There are a number of initiatives underway that work to give buses priority over other traffic on main roads into the CBD. The aim is to investigate and implement affordable and practical bus priority measures that will:

make travel by bus more attractive and more reliable
encourage people to leave their cars at home and take a bus
protect buses from the effects of growing traffic congestion.

Several bus lanes have already been introduced, leading to faster bus trips along some routes - in turn leading to more people using the buses. Other service improvements such as better buses, higher frequencies and better information about services have also been introduced as part of the schemes.

Current proposals for new bus priorities
Other measures

Current proposals for new bus priorities

There are a number of proposals for new bus priorities underway. The following table lists the proposals by area, find out more by following the links.

Area	Bus priority proposal	Details
Ian McKinnon Drive	Ian McKinnon Drive improvements	Ian McKinnon Drive has been identified as a road where transport choices could be improved for all users. We are proposing a number of changes around Ian McKinnon Drive and sections of New North Road, Upper Queen Street, Alex Evans Street and Dominion Road that will make the area safer and more attractive for all users.
Mt Eden Road	Additional bus lane proposed for Mt Eden Road	Find out about a proposal to extend the citybound morning peak bus lanes to include a new section from Esplanade Road to Boston Road.
Remuera Road and St Johns Road	Peak time citybound and outbound bus lanes	The council is proposing bus lanes along some sections of Remuera Road and St Johns Road to provide a faster and more consistent journey time for passengers.
Great South Road	Evening peak time outbound bus lanes	The council is proposing bus lanes along the east side of Great South Road, between Broadway and Green Lane West to duplicate existing bus lanes on the west side of the road.

Other measures

	Clearways Some of the bus priority proposals for Auckland City also involve the creation of clearways, which all traffic may use if bus lane controls are not also in place. As with bus lanes, stopping or parking on clearways is prohibited during peak traffic times.

	Bus advance Bus advance areas enable buses to go to the front of the queue at traffic lights. An extra set of traffic lights, with a special bus signal, is installed about 50 metres before the intersection to hold other traffic back while buses go to the front.

	Bus bypasses Bypasses are special lanes at intersections that enable buses to travel around traffic stopped at intersections. At some intersections buses will be allowed to travel straight through from a left-turn-only lane, helping them to bypass the queues in other lanes.

	Bus border A bus border is the reverse of a bus bay. It intrudes onto a traffic lane making it easier for buses to stop and to move back into the traffic flow.

	Signal pre-emption Signal pre-emption detects when a bus is coming and turns or keeps traffic lights green to let the bus through an intersection. The system consists of detectors in the road which are linked to traffic lights. When a bus passes over a detector, a message is sent ahead that a bus is on its way. If the lights are about to turn red they are instructed to stay green until the bus passes through. If the lights are red, then the green phase is brought forward. Click here to find out more about Auckland City's signal pre-emption project.

Buses

Bus priority measures

Current proposals for new bus priorities

Other measures

Clearways

Bus advance

Bus bypasses

Bus border

Signal pre-emption