Lane proposal aimed at speeding up bus travel

Peak hour bus lanes could be installed on Lincoln Road and Moorhouse Avenue in a bid to cut travel times for public transport users.

Christchurch City Council is seeking public feedback on its proposal to introduce bus priority measures on the two busy thoroughfares.

Bus priority improvements are being proposed along Lincoln Rd.

“The southwest of Christchurch is growing fast and we expect 35,000 people to move into that area over the next 30 years. Unless we can make travelling by public transport faster and more reliable, that is likely to result in many more cars on the road and congestion problems,’’ says Council Transport Planning and Delivery Manager Lynette Ellis.

“The bus priority measures we are proposing on Lincoln Road and Moorhouse Avenue will make it significantly quicker for people to travel by bus between Halswell and the central city,’’ Ms Ellis says.

"This proposal is just a conversation starter though. We want to hear your feedback.''

Under the Council’s proposal, 24-hour bus lanes will be installed on the south side of Moorhouse Avenue, between Selwyn Street and Lincoln Road.
The bus lanes will continue along both sides of Lincoln Road, but only during peak hours, through until Whiteleigh Avenue.

The bus lane on the north-west side of Lincoln Road (traveling into the city centre) will operate between 7 and 9am weekdays. The lane on the opposite side of the road will operate between 4 and 6pm weekdays.

Outside of those hours, the lanes will be available for parking.

“The bus lanes should lead to an average time saving for bus passengers in the evening of about six-and-a-half minutes while in the morning they should shorten journey times by an average of four-and-a-half minutes,’’ Ms Ellis says.

“To put that into perspective, that’s a 48 per cent quicker travel time in the evenings than currently and a 34 per cent quicker travel time in the mornings.’’

As part of the road improvements, the Council is also proposing to:

• Reduce the speed limit on Lincoln Road between Moorhouse and Whiteleigh avenues to 30km an hour.
• Install a signalised pedestrian crossing outside 334 Lincoln Road.
• Change some parking on side streets to P60 so there is plenty of parking available for short-term use when the bus lanes are operational.

Drop-in sessions where residents can come along and talk to Council staff about the proposed changes are being held at the following times:

• Tuesday 30 October, 6pm at the Addington Coffee Co-op, 297 Lincoln Road
• Thursday 1 November, 6pm at the Addington Coffee Co-op, 297 Lincoln Road
• Wednesday 7 November 11am-1pm at St Mary’s Church in Church Square

Consultation on the proposed changes close on 26 November.

Have Your Say.