Bus priority may ease congestion

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More bus priority schemes should be introduced to ease congestion in busy urban areas, a survey has suggested.

It says Bristol, Birmingham, Leeds, Liverpool, Manchester and Tyne & Wear would currently benefit most.

The Confederation of Passenger Transport (CPT) says it favours schemes like bus lanes, gates and priority for buses at traffic lights.

It notes York, Cambridge, Brighton, Edinburgh and parts of Manchester and Leeds have already seen the advantages.

The CPT represents the interests of bus, coach and light rail operators throughout the UK.

'Essential role'

Last year saw the number of passengers using buses in England rise, but this was almost entirely due to a big increase in patronage in London, with numbers in areas outside the capital falling in nearly every district.

In a foreword to the report, Transport Minister Gillian Merron said: "The government firmly believes bus travel has an essential role to play in building a more balanced, less congested transport environment.

"Operators need to invest in reliable, clean and comfortable buses, while commitment has to come from local transport and highway authorities to provide the best achievable transport facilities and road conditions," she said.

Simon Posner, from CPT, said bus companies were working hard to produce a viable alternative to the car but could not achieve this alone.

"There is still plenty to do to improve passenger services. Considerable achievements can be made, but only if operators and local authorities work together."