• General

• Bus Rapid Transit

• Park & Ride

• Showcase bus routes

• How to find out more

• Maps of the various route

Bus Rapid Transit

2.1 What is Bus Rapid Transit?

Bus Rapid Transit aims to provide a service that is of a far higher quality and reliability than an ordinary bus service by providing a route between Newbridge Park & Ride in the west and the new A4 Eastern Bath Park & Ride site, via the city centre. This route will be made up of the following features:

• High-frequency service (10 minute daytime frequency)
• A route segregated for buses along a significant length. which will accommodate cyclists and pedestrians.
• Intelligent Traffic signal priority: Preferential treatment of late running buses at signal controlled junctions
• Modern vehicles: The latest design which is clean, quiet and efficient
• Off-bus fare collection: The collection of fares prior to boarding the vehicle. This system will improve running times.
• Level boarding: boarding platforms at the same level as the bus floors to enhance accessibility and speed boarding.

The benefits over conventional buses can be summed up as:

• Faster journey times
• More reliable service
• Enhanced accessibility
• Better ride quality

2.2 What do you mean a segregated right of way?

The Bath Rapid Transit route will follow a disused railway line between Brassmill Lane and Windsor Bridge Road.  It will have a specially designated route through Bath Western Riverside and will be able to take advantage of bus priority measures in the city centre and on London Road. This will improve reliability by removing the service from much of the city’s traffic congestion.

2.3 Where exactly will the Bus Rapid Transit Route Operate?

The Bath Rapid Transit line will operate between an enlarged Newbridge Park & Ride site to the west of Bath and a new A4 Eastern Bath Park & Ride Site, via Bath city centre.

The service will run from the Newbridge Park & Ride site on-street via Brassmill Lane before joining an old railway alignment and operating on a segregated route to Windsor Bridge Road, then into the Bath Western Riverside development.  It will continue via the Pines Way Roundabout, Midland Bridge Road, James Street West, St James Parade, Dorchester Street, Manvers Street, Pierrepont Street, High Street/Grand Parade, Northgate Street, Walcot Street and London Road to a new Park and Ride site.

2.4 Can I find a map of what route it will take?

Please refer to the map in our leaflet (under related documents at the top right of this page).

2.5 Will the BRT route only serve the two park & ride sites? Are we having to put up with this just to serve commuters?

No, in addition to the Park & Ride sites, the BRT service will stop at Brassmill Lane, Station Road, Bath Western Riverside, James Street West and in Bath City centre at Dorchester Street (for Bath Spa and the bus station), High Street/Grand Parade and Walcot Street.

2.6 Will the route be noisy?

The only vehicles running along it will be bus services using the most up-to-date vehicles possible, so any road noise will be at a minimum. Noise issues will also be considered when it comes to the final planning stage.

2.7 Will it be safe?

In terms of safe for people; buses will travel at no more than 30mph.

In terms of attracting crime; the routes should actually act as a crime deterrent because they will turn some disused areas into well-lit and well-managed sites. Safety issues will be carefully considered in the detailed planning stage.

2.8 What will the fares be?

These have not yet been finalised

2.9 Where will you be changing traffic signals? Won’t that cause jams?

At a few key junctions on the BRT route the traffic lights will change to let buses pass through. The effect on other traffic will be minimal but the impact on having a quick and reliable bus service into the town centre will be immense.

2.10 When you say modern vehicles, what will the buses look like?

The vehicles to be used on the BRT route are likely to be of a similar size to the bendy buses you already see around Bath. We’re still at an early stage but we intend to use the most up to date, fuel efficient vehicles available.

2.11 Why not just have more buses?

We have an opportunity to introduce a modern, quick and reliable service along a vital route through Bath. Simply introducing more buses on to a congested road system already under strain is not a viable long-term option.

2.12 How will the operation of the bus service be funded?

The services are designed to attract large numbers of passengers which will enable the route to operate on a commercial basis, without a council subsidy.

2.13 How often will the buses run?

The details of the service are yet to be finalised, but it is likely the BRT service will operate every 10 minutes Monday to Saturdays.

2.14 Are there plans to introduce a system like London’s ‘Oyster Card’?

We are planning to introduce the latest ticketing technology but it is a little early to be specific about this. We expect that tickets will be sold off the vehicle, possibly using machines at stops or selling ‘Oyster Card’ type tickets at local shops.  Off-vehicle ticket sales will improve journey times over conventional bus services.

2.15 If BRT is effective will it be expanded to other parts of the district or will it always be restricted to the routes set out?

Bath & North East Somerset Council, together with our neighbouring authorities, Bristol City, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire, is investigating opportunities for other BRT routes in the area.

2.16 Will emergency vehicles use the route?

Emergency vehicles will only use the route in the event of an emergency or incident along the route.

2.17 I’m still unhappy about the BRT, who do I make my views known to?

You can write to Transportation & Highways, Bath & North East Somerset Council, Riverside, Temple Street, Keynsham, Bristol, BS31 1LA or email Strategic_Transport_Projects@bathnes.gov.uk

Showcase bus routes

4.1 What is a showcase bus route?

Showcase bus routes are premium routes which provide a quick, efficient, reliable and high-quality bus service, accessible to everyone. Features include:

• Raised pavements to ease access on and off buses;
• Real time information, providing details of approaching buses;
• New bus lanes;
• New bus shelters;
• New and enhanced traffic signals to give bus services priority;
• Restricted parking and loading regulations to help reduce congestion;
• Better timetable information;

4.2 When will the scheme be completed?

Firstly we need final government funding approval in 2008. Then there will be consultation and agreement on the plans. We are working to a completion date of 2011. There will be plenty of time comment on the plans.

4.3 Where will these routes go?

They will be for services 2, 4, 5, 6, 7,10, 13, 14, 17, 18 and 418. They will also include the park and ride routes.

4.4 It goes down my street, how will it affect me?

Bus stops will be improved with new shelters and information screens at certain stops, all stops will be fitted with raised kerbs so people with pushchairs or wheelchairs can access the buses. They will, generally, be in the same location as the present stops  It will mean you have better public transport around the city thanks to more efficient services.

4.5 How many showcase routes are planned, and what proportion of the local population would expect to be served by one of these routes?

The ten main Bath city bus routes are planned to be upgraded to Showcase standard. These routes link all parts of the city with the centre so a majority of the population will benefit.

4.6 Will bus journey times be quicker? Will it mean opportunities to extend the services and make them more frequent with extra routes?

One of the project’s main aims is to provide faster public transport journey times through bus priority measures. Not only will this make the service more attractive and lead to more passengers but operating costs will also reduce. As a result opportunities may arise to increase frequencies and examine new service options. However this will be a commercial decision.

4.7 I’d like to see a map of where these routes will go?

Please refer to the map in our leaflet (under related documents at the top right of this page).