r/Glasgow Tools

Title
Author	eenbiertje
Comment	I get what you're saying but I think you're describing two different things. It's not practical to have segregated bus lanes on every part of every route. The FastLink along Govan Rd works because the road is about 35m wide, so there's space for 2 vehicle lanes and 2 bus lanes. But buses run all across the city, sometimes weaving through densely packed neighbourhoods. Segregating them from vehicle traffic isn't feasible in every situation, without then taking space from pedestrians. So it's going to be necessary in a lot of places for buses to stop in-line with traffic. I mentioned in another comment, but it's generally routine transit planning practice across the world now for this to happen (for buses not to have to pull in and out to on/off board passengers), as it vastly improves journey times. Just as a minor point: the FastLink was actually designed with trams in mind, and it looks like it will be the first route to get the go ahead as part of the 'Glasgow Metro' network. Segregation works for modern trams as they serve slightly different purposes to buses. They're meant to move more quickly between locales, and have better acceleration profiles, acting as something between buses and trains. So it makes much more sense to have them segregated wherever possible to maximize these benefits. Buses serve a slightly different purpose: ideally serving shorter journeys or acting as first and/or last-step in a multi modal journey that connects people from local neighbourhoods to transit hubs. All that said, I do agree with the last thing you said - we need many many more park & ride stations, be it for trains or buses (or even trams when they come in).
Reddit Link	https://www.reddit.com/r/glasgow/comments/nswvww/four_areas_chosen_for_first_stage_of_citys/h0rxb7b/
Created	Sun 6th Jun 2021 9:20am
Status	normal ()

I get what you're saying but I think you're describing two different things. It's not practical to have segregated bus lanes on every part of every route.

The FastLink along Govan Rd works because the road is about 35m wide, so there's space for 2 vehicle lanes and 2 bus lanes. But buses run all across the city, sometimes weaving through densely packed neighbourhoods. Segregating them from vehicle traffic isn't feasible in every situation, without then taking space from pedestrians.

So it's going to be necessary in a lot of places for buses to stop in-line with traffic. I mentioned in another comment, but it's generally routine transit planning practice across the world now for this to happen (for buses not to have to pull in and out to on/off board passengers), as it vastly improves journey times.

Just as a minor point: the FastLink was actually designed with trams in mind, and it looks like it will be the first route to get the go ahead as part of the 'Glasgow Metro' network. Segregation works for modern trams as they serve slightly different purposes to buses. They're meant to move more quickly between locales, and have better acceleration profiles, acting as something between buses and trains. So it makes much more sense to have them segregated wherever possible to maximize these benefits.

Buses serve a slightly different purpose: ideally serving shorter journeys or acting as first and/or last-step in a multi modal journey that connects people from local neighbourhoods to transit hubs.

All that said, I do agree with the last thing you said - we need many many more park & ride stations, be it for trains or buses (or even trams when they come in).