Rear-door bus boarding will become a fixture at the busiest CBD bus stops after a successful trial in June.
Minister for Transport and Infrastructure Andrew Constance today announced the change for Opal customers would become permanent in the afternoon peak at five of the city’s busiest stops.
A two-week trial showed strong results in moving customers faster.
“The time it took to board was reduced by more than 30 per cent at a westbound stop on Druitt Street near Kent Street, while Wynyard Stand R and Clarence Street Stand Q produced results better than 20 per cent,” Mr Constance said.
“Some services were able to move away from the stop up to 40 seconds faster. It may not sound like much, but every second counts when people are trying to get home.”
From 6 October, when CBD bus routes have changed and buses are removed from George Street, rear-door loading during the afternoon peak for Opal card customers will begin under the supervision of marshals at:
Druitt Street, westbound before Kent Street,
Wynyard Stand R, northbound on Clarence Street,
QVB Stand B, in York Street,
QVB Stand C, in York Street, and
Clarence Street Stand Q.
“It was clear that at these busy stops, rear-door loading under the supervision of a marshal made a real difference to dwell-times, reduced footpath crowding and in some cases traffic congestion was reduced,” Mr Constance said.
“The biggest improvements were seen between 5pm and 6pm, but there were unexpected benefits such as marshals being able to keep the bus stops clear of other vehicles and some buses loading more evenly rather than standing passengers congregating near the front.
“These are exactly the kinds of improvements we need to be making to the CBD road network to ensure the network keeps operating efficiently and effectively throughout the years of construction ahead of us.”
