New Pascoe Vale Road bus lane a boost for SmartBus passengers

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http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/media-centre/media-releases/1389-new-pascoe-vale-road-bus-lane-a-boost-for-smartbus-passengers.html

New Pascoe Vale Road bus lane a boost for SmartBus passengers

Friday, 08 July 2011
From the Minister for Public Transport

Hume bus passengers will enjoy quicker journeys following the opening of a bus lane on Pascoe Vale Road, Minister for Public Transport Terry Mulder said today.

The new bus lane runs in one direction from north of Coolaroo train station to south of Barry Road. An extra lane has been built so that two traffic lanes and a bicycle lane are retained.

Mr Mulder said the $2.5m project would reduce delays on recently introduced SmartBus Route 901 (Frankston to Melbourne Airport) and route 541(Roxburgh Park to Broadmeadows via Meadow Heights).

"Traffic on Pascoe Vale Road can be very busy, particularly in the morning peak, and buses have been getting caught up in this traffic," Mr Mulder said.

"A dedicated lane allows bus services to move freely along busy roads, regardless of traffic conditions or other hold ups.

"Upgraded traffic lights on Pascoe Vale Road at Taggerty Crescent and Barry Road will also help buses get ahead of other traffic.

"This will significantly reduce the delays that buses experience when driving in regular traffic and encourage more people to take the bus more often," Mr Mulder said.

VicRoads estimates that peak hour buses will avoid around five minutes of delays thanks to the bus lane.

Mr Mulder said passengers can expect real improvements in the on-time running of buses with bus lanes now operating on three Hume roads – Pascoe Vale Road, Pearcedale Parade and Mickleham Road.

SmartBus Route 901 was extended from Frankston to Melbourne Airport via Dandenong, Ringwood, Blackburn, Templestowe, Greensborough, Epping and Broadmeadows in September 2010.

"SmartBus services run seven days a week, every 15 minutes from 6.30am to 9pm on weekdays and every 30 minutes at other times.

"These are great services that take passengers where they want to go – to train stations, shopping centres, schools and other activity hubs, including Melbourne Airport", Mr Mulder said.

SmartBus services run more often and for longer than most bus services. They use 'smart' technology such as GPS tracking, a traffic signal priority request system and on-road priority measures such as bus lanes to provide a more reliable service.

Under Victoria's road rules, drivers can enter a bus lane for up to 100 metres if leaving or entering the road. Fines for driving or parking illegally in a bus lane will apply.