| Transport and Roads | |
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Transit lanes Transit lanes are a way of helping buses move around our city quickly and easily. North Shore City Council is introducing more transit lanes to improve our public transport system, and encourage more people to catch the bus or to car pool. The introduction of transit lanes helps make the Northern Busway more effective. The Busway, including a two-way bus-only road and five stations, forms the centre of an improved public transport system for the North Shore. Alongside the opening of the Northern Busway in February 2008, the number of bus services in North Shore City has increased significantly. A transit lane is a lane reserved for buses, taxis, cars and other vehicles carrying three or more people, as well as bicycles and motorbikes. It usually only operates during peak hours, eg. 6.30am to 9am. The aim is to move more people (rather than more cars) on a road, by allowing buses and car pools to bypass general traffic congestion and move quickly. This encourages more people to use the bus or to car pool - both more efficient ways of transporting people than a single-occupant car. We have already had success with a transit lane in North Shore City. Since traffic officers began policing the transit lane in Onewa Rd in 2002, bus patronage and carpooling has risen and buses are running more quickly and keeping to timetables. More than 400 vehicles a day use the transit lane. Transit lanes are clearly signposted (above) and the road surface is also painted (opposite). 'T3' refers to the minimum number of passengers needed for a vehicle to use the lane. When you see the transit lane sign, make sure you don’t drive in the lane during the time specified unless there are three or more people in your vehicle. You are also not allowed to stop or park your car in the lane during hours of operation. If you do either of these things, you could be fined $150. If you need to enter a transit lane from a side road, you must move out of the lane as quickly as possible, without disrupting the movement of traffic. This should not require being in the lane for a distance of more than 60m. If you travel more than 60m in a transit lane before turning left, you may be fined $150. Transit lanes are policed by specially trained council officers who are clearly visible on the footpath observing vehicles to ensure that only people who have a right to use the lane are in it. |
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