£1 million for Pop-up Bus Priority Measures across Glasgow

Formal approval was granted today at committee accepting Bus Priority Rapid Deployment funding from Transport Scotland which will see the council implement a series of measures to give priority to buses at key points across Glasgow's road network.

It is intended that the temporary infrastructure, which will include pop-up bus lanes and upgrades to road traffic signals, will improve journey times and the reliability of bus services. Supporting deprived communities that rely upon public transport the most, is also an objective of the funding award.

The pop-up bus lanes have been earmarked for several streets within the city including the city centre, and stretches of the Springburn Expressway and Paisley Road West. A feasibility study for bus priority measures on the city centre-bound Clydeside Expressway is also planned. In addition, traffic signal improvements to reduce delays and offer priority to buses are in scope for junctions where pop-up bus lanes are provided, including corridors within the city centre.

A reduction in bus journey times during the morning and evening rush hour is being targeted where measures are introduced, which will add to the reliability of services and particularly benefit those who need to use public transport whist physical distancing remains a requirement. It is also hoped that the new infrastructure will support the bus industry by incentivising bus trips ahead of private car and in doing so help protect air quality.

Councillor Anna Richardson, Convener for Sustainability and Carbon Reduction said: "We recognise the importance of public transport in our city and it is vitally important that bus services are maintained through the pandemic.  This funding will provide support where it is needed the most and by giving buses priority, cut journey times and increase service reliability which is excellent news for passengers.

"These interventions will also bring positive environmental benefits and present a unique opportunity to build upon more sustainable travel behaviours to help mitigate in the short term, an increase in private car use, with the potential to make some of the temporary measures permanent if successful.

"This project has also been a great opportunity to work closely with neighbouring councils, given our shared interest in improving regional transport links."

Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Infrastructure and Connectivity Michael Matheson said: "I'm encouraged by the partnership approach taken by a number of local authorities and bus operators in coordinating a joint bid to the Scottish Government's fund for temporary bus infrastructure in and around Glasgow City.

"This will reduce congestion on the busiest routes into the city centre, across a number of local authority areas, improving journey times and reliability - which is a vital part of our green recovery.

"I also hope that local authorities can apply what is learned through this temporary initiative in future applications to our landmark Bus Partnership Fund - where support is available to help fund permanent bus priority infrastructure to the benefit of passengers and communities across Scotland."

Bus Priority Rapid Deployment Fund

The £1m funding was awarded to Glasgow City as part of a joint bid from eight local authorities in the Glasgow City Region for financial support from the Bus Priority Rapid Deployment Fund (BPRDF).

A total of £1.8m was awarded to the Glasgow City Region Transport Transition Plan Group for a range of measures that will support public transport in the area. Projects outwith Glasgow City that will benefit from the fund include pop-up bus lanes in Clarkston, Renfrew, Giffnock and Clydebank. Many of the routes identified lead into Glasgow City.

The pop-up bus lanes in Glasgow are scheduled for sections of the Springburn Expressway, King George V Bridge, Bothwell St (between Pitt St and Hope St), Renfrew Street (between Cambridge St and Renfield St), Paisley Rd West (at Bellahouston Park), Barrhead Rd (between Pollok roundabout and Crookston Rd) and Braidcraft Road (between Pollok roundabout and Corkerhill Rd).

Details of the BPRDF bid were presented to the council's Environment, Sustainability and Carbon Reduction City Policy Committee on 6 October 2020.