Proposals to improve bus reliability set to take next step

Ideas to speed up bus journeys and increase bus reliability could be taken to public consultation soon.

At a meeting later this month (22 April) the council’s Executive Member for Transport will be asked to agree to publicly consult on a series of potential measures on the Rougier Street – Micklegate – Tower Street corridor, an area which has been long discussed for bus priority.

As well as better bus reliability, any proposals would look to improve infrastructure for pedestrians, wheelchair users, people who use mobility aids and cyclists whilst maintaining vehicle access to all parking bays in this city centre area for everyone at all times. The expectation is that this could bring benefits far beyond the city centre with buses from villages and beyond the city boundaries also benefiting from the improvements on this route with quicker and more reliable journeys.

In 2023 the council carried out extensive engagement through ‘Our Big Transport Conversation’. In it people shared how bus reliability was an issue affecting their lives and that they wanted to see this improved. When asked whether they agreed or disagreed with the introduction of dedicated priority routes for buses and sustainable transport 72% agreed or strongly agreed.

Councillor Kate Ravilious, Executive Member for Transport said: 

“Bus reliability is something residents and businesses clearly told us they wanted to see improve.

“Alongside the many bus operators we share people’s frustrations regarding bus reliability. This is because many of our local and regional buses get stuck in the heavy congestion in the city centre. Delayed buses erode people’s confidence in using public transport and push people towards travelling by private car instead – adding to the traffic jams in the city. We need to reverse this negative trend and make bus travel a reliable and convenient way to travel.

“One option would be a bus filter, something which people told us they were supportive of in ‘Our Big Transport Conversation’. No decisions have been made yet and we are committed to listening to everyone’s views via extensive public consultation before implementation of any scheme.”

If the report is approved the council will go out to public consultation in the coming months with further details around design options and operation shared at that point. The council will involve residents and businesses across the city and ask them to have their say with feedback collated and published before any decision is made.

In April 2022, the Department for Transport (DfT) made an indicative funding award of £17.3m to City of York Council in respect of its Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP). York’s BSIP sets out a new vision to help improve York’s bus network, aiming to make it more inclusive, accessible, attractive and welcoming – becoming a source of pride for the city and its residents. If the project progresses it is proposed that £2M of the BSIP funding would be used for this.

The report will be considered at a decision session for the Executive Member for Transport on Tuesday 22 April. View the meeting papers online. The meeting will be available to view live or on demand.