The North East is consulting on changes to the bus network. This will offer a franchised system where local bus routes will be determined by the combined authority and contracted out to operators.
Why is the cycle campaign responding to this?
Transport should be thought of as a full system including all modes of mobility. When joined up cycling and public transport compliment each other and provide a reach that neither option can achieve on it’s own. There are three main ways this can impact cycling integration, safety, and infrastructure.
The Bee network in Manchester is a great example of this. Originally growing out of the Manchester cycle network it became a clear symbol of all transport across the city. Allowing integrated thinking between cycling, buses, and trams.
Unfortunately this integration between cycling and public transport hasn’t shown to be a priority of the North East Mayoral Strategic Authority. We want to challenge that and show that buses can work together with active travel to create a complete network.#
What are we asking of you?
There is only a short time left to respond to the consultation, however it only takes 10 minutes to respond to and involves 7 questions.
Our focus is on questions 2,3 4, 5, and 6.
2 What works well and what doesn’t?
In this case we can look at the interactions between buses and cyclists.
It is great to see a system where bikes can be taken on buses to Consett. There are also many good interactions with drivers being courteous at crossings, leaving plenty of space when overtaking, and having a generally calm and professional
However I’m sure many here will have also had bad interactions with bus drivers being aggressive, over taking too close for it to be comfortable or safe, using their horn when they can’t overtake.
In this case there are limited options, you can go to the company however you never know the exact response you will get. Or you can go to the police if the driver has broken the law and you have a video.
It would be great to see a single reporting system for all buses where drivers and their companies can be held accountable for their actions by the Mayor. We would also like to see it make clear that safety is at the heart of each contract and if providers aren’t meeting their safety targets the contracts should be removed or not renewed.
We would like to see a system like in London where a safe systems approach is taken to bus safety. Improving things like, vehicle standards requiring intelligent speed control and full 360 vision, driver training, and investigations into collisions.
There is also a distinct lack of secure cycle storage across the bus network especially at major hubs. These should be required with every new hub and retrofitted to those that don’t have them. This allows more people to access these spaces while feeling safe in the knowledge their bike will still be there for the return leg of the journey.
3 What are the main features important to you?
More public control of how buses are delivered
Consistent and increased safety measures
Greater ability for local people to influence the bus network
Other – Delivery of a joined up network including cycling, walking and wheeling.
4 Do you support the proposed franchising agreement?
Yes
It will allow greater control of buses and offer the opportunity for a fully integrated system. This should include all modes of transport including walking, wheeling and, cycling being considered.
6 Concerns or challenges
We have the concern that bus franchising will not be developed as part of a fully integrated system.
This could be especially harmful to cycling as the combined authority will be aiming to increase bus revenue as it will now go back to the authority.. This offers an incentive to prioritise bus lanes over cycle lanes or walking and wheeling improvements as these don’t provide revenue.
Small gaps in a cycle network create large barriers especially impacting women, younger and older people. A busy high street that prioritises busses is often inaccessible to cyclists due to a lack of safe infrastructure. This can put people off cycling altogether if key routes aren’t safe to use.
There needs to be a clear strategic vision that ensures that walking, wheeling, and cycling, are accounted for as not only key parts of public transport journeys but also the most effective and sustainable option for shorter journeys. This allows buses, metro and rail to focus on medium to longer distance journeys across the region.
Please Respond
We want to see cycling and active travel at the heart of an integrated sustainable transport system. That won’t happen without your help.
If you have any other questions or thought please feel free to share them with us as we will be submitting a response to the consultation. We are calling for all members to respond to this consultation as there had been a lack of engagement with cycling from the Mayoral Authority that we would like to see change going forwards. You can also contact the mayors office after the consultation to ask for a more joined up system between bikes and other modes of transport.
The link to respond and view the full detail about the consultation is below.
https://www.northeast-ca.gov.uk/consultations/haveyoursay
If you want to see a more general response to the consultation from our friends at NEPTUG that is available here