NRMA welcomes bus measures

The State Government's $45 million bus package will help reduce traffic on some of Sydney's most congested roads, Chair of the National Roads and Motorists' Association's Public Policy Committee, Mr Mark Coyne, said today.
Mr Coyne said the package would enable buses to move public
transport passengers more quickly on Parramatta, Victoria and
Windsor roads in Sydney's west and Crown, Oxford, Elizabeth and
Cleveland streets in the east."Without measures to encourage more people on to public
transport, congestion on Sydney's road will continue to worsen," Mr
Coyne said."Commuters need to be convinced that public transport is a safe,
accessible, clean alternative to private vehicles. NRMA's own
research has shown that people want frequent, reliable bus services
that provide greater coverage."NRMA has been calling for more bus priority measures on
Victoria Road and welcomes the Government's announcement that a
westbound transit lane will be introduced between the ANZAC Bridge
and Gladesville."Mr Coyne said the additional five kilometres of peak-hour bus
lanes on Parramatta Road was a step in the right direction which
would help make bus travel more attractive for commuters who
currently drive."NRMA will be watching Parramatta Road closely to assess the
impact of the bus lane extension," Mr Coyne said."Bus lanes have already been very successful on some of the
city's largest in-bound routes. The bus lane on the Sydney Harbour
Bridge carries more passengers into the city during peak periods
than all other bridge lanes combined."The bus lane on the city-bound approach of the Western
Distributor ensures that Victoria Road bus and taxi passengers
arrive at central business district quickly, with a minimum of
fuss."Mr Coyne said commuters needed real choice in order to make the
switch to public transport."Sydney needs an integrated transport and roads system if it is
ever to meet the expected growth in passenger demand in the coming
years," Mr Coyne said."Without real alternatives, Sydneysiders will continue to have a
love affair with their cars."