Shopping on line can be easy, simple and save you lots of money. It can also take a lot of your time, frustrate you, and result in unwanted purchases. Now the same can be said for regular high street shopping, but with the vast opportunity presented by the Internet it will pay you to spend a few minutes reading this and understanding how to better optimize your Bus Lane shopping experience:
1. Compare - without doubt the biggest advantage that the Bus Lane offers shoppers today is the ability to compare thousands of Bus Lane at a time. This is a great thing, but not necessarily all the time! Too much can be daunting at times so take advantage of the great comparison sites and where possible let them do the hard work for you.
2. Research - if it has been said it will be on the internet. Ignorance is no longer a justifiable reason for buying the wrong thing. Take the time to research in detail everything that you could possible want to know about
3. Testimonials - don't know anybody that has bought a Bus Lane? Wrong! If the Bus Lane is good the internet will let you know. Use the Internet as a friend and get testimonials before you buy.
4. Questions - Got a question about Bus Lane then search the Forums, FAQ's, Blogs etc. Don't be afraid to ask .....
5. Reputation - Never heard of the company selling Bus Lane? Don't worry, no reason why you should know every company in the world, but you know someone that does! Use the internet to find out what people are saying about Bus Lane and build up a picture of their reputation for sales, returns, customer service, delivery etc.
6. Returns - still worried that even after all of the above your Bus Lane wont be what you want? Check out the returns policy. There is so much competition now that someone, somewhere is bound to offer the terms that you are comfortable with.
7. Feedback - happy with your Bus Lane then let people know, after all you are depending on others people input in your buying decision, so why not give a little back.
8. Security - check for the yellow padlock on the Bus Lane site before you buy, and the s after http:/ /i.e. https:// = a secure site
9. Contact - got a question about Bus Lane, or want to leave a comment then check out the sites contact page. Reputable companies have them and respond.
10. Payment - ready to pay for your Bus Lane, then use your credit card or PayPal! Be aware of companies that don't accept them, there may be genuine reasons but given the huge amount of choice you have when buying online there is no reason at all not to buy via credit card or PayPal.
, Germany, Greece.
A
bus (only) lane is a lane on a road restricted to
buses, and generally used to speed up public transport otherwise held up by traffic congestions. Often taxicabs,
high occupancy vehicles or motorcycles The Use of Bus Lanes by Motorcycles (from Traffic Advisory Leaflet 2/07, Department for Transport, United Kingdom) and bicycles may use the bus lane as well (though these uses can be controversial, as they can reduce the capacity of the bus lane for its main function). Bus lanes are a central part of
bus rapid transit measures.
Function
The aim of a bus only lane is to give priority to buses and save journey time in places where roads are congested with other traffic. A bus lane is not necessarily very long, as it may only be used to 'detour' a single congestion point such as an intersection. However, some cities have built large stretches of bus lanes which in some places amount to a separate local road system, often called a
bus rapid transit system.
Bus lanes are normally created when the road in question is both likely to be congested as well as heavily traveled by bus. Entire roads can be designated as bus lanes (Oxford Street in London), allowing only buses, taxis and delivery vehicles, Sign 77 (from the British Highway Code) or a contra-flow bus lane can allow buses to travel in the opposite direction to other vehicles, Sign 81 (from the British Highway Code) Some bus lanes operate on certain times of the day only, usually during rush-hour, allowing all vehicles at other times, and it is common to have bus lanes in only one direction (such as for the main direction of the morning rush hour traffic, with the buses using normal lanes in the other direction).
Sometimes, bus lanes receive different set of traffic signals as well.
History
The world's first bus-only lanes were established in 1962 in the
Germany city of Hamburg. Other large German cities soon followed, and the implementation of bus lanes was officially sanctioned in the German highway code in 1971. Many experts from other countries (among one of the first, Japan) studied the German example and then went forth to implement similar solutions in their own countries.
The El Monte Busway between El Monte and Downtown
Los Angeles was the first busway in the USA, constructed in 1974. Los Angeles (from the
Metropolitan Transportation Commission (San Francisco Bay Area) website)
Criticism
The installation of bus lanes requires additional space to either be constructed (increasing the impact of the road on the surrounding area, and possibly requiring private land)
Transport plan will force homes and businesses to move -
New Zealand Herald, Monday 12 March 2007 or taken from existing lanes (thus reducing the capacity of the road for private vehicles). The latter is especially controversial with many road users when this is actually an ancillary reason (i.e. when local authorities want to explicitly combine improved public transport options with reducing or at least not improving convenience for motorists)
Get moving: Bus access, safety mean no end to rush-hour hassle -
New Zealand Herald, Tuesday 01 May 2007
They can also become inefficient if weak traffic enforcement encourages parking violation on them (for example in shopping areas). The bus then has to merge back into traffic, which may be totally stopped, causing substantial schedule delays. They are also often used by vehicles not authorised, which reduces their capacity for the intended purpose.
1779 cheats spotted in single morning using bus lanes -
New Zealand Herald, Tuesday 03 October 2006
See also
References
,
Germany, Greece.
A
bus (only) lane is a lane on a road restricted to buses, and generally used to speed up public transport otherwise held up by traffic congestions. Often taxicabs, high occupancy vehicles or
motorcycles The Use of Bus Lanes by Motorcycles (from Traffic Advisory Leaflet 2/07, Department for Transport, United Kingdom) and bicycles may use the bus lane as well (though these uses can be controversial, as they can reduce the capacity of the bus lane for its main function). Bus lanes are a central part of bus rapid transit measures.
Function
The aim of a bus only lane is to give priority to buses and save journey time in places where roads are congested with other traffic. A bus lane is not necessarily very long, as it may only be used to 'detour' a single congestion point such as an intersection. However, some cities have built large stretches of bus lanes which in some places amount to a separate local road system, often called a bus rapid transit system.
Bus lanes are normally created when the road in question is both likely to be congested as well as heavily traveled by bus. Entire roads can be designated as bus lanes (Oxford Street in London), allowing only buses, taxis and delivery vehicles, Sign 77 (from the British Highway Code) or a contra-flow bus lane can allow buses to travel in the opposite direction to other vehicles, Sign 81 (from the British Highway Code) Some bus lanes operate on certain times of the day only, usually during rush-hour, allowing all vehicles at other times, and it is common to have bus lanes in only one direction (such as for the main direction of the morning rush hour traffic, with the buses using normal lanes in the other direction).
Sometimes, bus lanes receive different set of
traffic signals as well.
History
The world's first bus-only lanes were established in 1962 in the
Germany city of
Hamburg. Other large German cities soon followed, and the implementation of bus lanes was officially sanctioned in the German highway code in 1971. Many experts from other countries (among one of the first, Japan) studied the German example and then went forth to implement similar solutions in their own countries.
The
El Monte Busway between El Monte and Downtown
Los Angeles was the first busway in the USA, constructed in 1974. Los Angeles (from the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (San Francisco Bay Area) website)
Criticism
The installation of bus lanes requires additional space to either be constructed (increasing the impact of the road on the surrounding area, and possibly requiring private land)
Transport plan will force homes and businesses to move -
New Zealand Herald, Monday 12 March 2007 or taken from existing lanes (thus reducing the capacity of the road for private vehicles). The latter is especially controversial with many road users when this is actually an ancillary reason (i.e. when local authorities want to explicitly combine improved public transport options with reducing or at least not improving convenience for motorists)
Get moving: Bus access, safety mean no end to rush-hour hassle -
New Zealand Herald, Tuesday 01 May 2007
They can also become inefficient if weak traffic enforcement encourages parking violation on them (for example in shopping areas). The bus then has to merge back into traffic, which may be totally stopped, causing substantial schedule delays. They are also often used by vehicles not authorised, which reduces their capacity for the intended purpose.
1779 cheats spotted in single morning using bus lanes -
New Zealand Herald, Tuesday 03 October 2006
See also
References
Bus lane regulations | Transport for London
Bus lane regulations. It is illegal for motorists to drive or stop in a bus lane The rules that apply to bus lanes are clear.
Jeff's Bus Lane!!
Latest News Updated 10/07/08 - Various bits. Fleetlists updated 08/06/08. Photos for 03 to 09/07/08 added (captions to follow) Videos Updated 09/06/08 New Audit added 30/04/08
Parking - Bus lane faq - Wandsworth Council
Can I use the bus lane to make a left turn; Can I go into a bus lane to overtake a vehicle waiting to make turn right or blocking the outer lane? Am I allowed drive in a bus lane ...
Tyburn Road bus lane consultation
The deadline for responses for the Tyburn Road bus lane consultation has now passed - please watch this space for details of the results and our plans accordingly.
Drivers in bus lane blitz - News - Manchester Evening News
Competition Bid for a signed Kylie T-shirt Following Kylie's record-breaking stint at the M.E.N Arena we're keeping the Kylie-vibe alive with an exclusive opportunity to win a T ...
Bus lane - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
A bus lane or bus only lane is a lane on a road restricted to buses, and generally used to speed up public transport otherwise held up by traffic congestions.
Sheffield City Council - Bus Lane Enforcement
Information about enforcement of bus lanes and gates ... CCTV cameras are recording the registration number of any vehicle driving, parking or stopping in particular bus lanes ...
Parking and Traffic Appeals Service - Bus lane enforcement
The Parking and Traffic Appeals Service provides the independent adjudication service for deciding disputed parking and bus lane penalties charged by Councils and Transport for ...
BMF Welcomes Boris Bus Lane Decision
BMF Welcomes Boris Bus Lane Decision. 6 August 2008 BMF Welcomes Boris Bus Lane Decision The British Motorcyclists Federation have welcomed London Mayor Boris Johnson’s decision ...
CBRD - In Depth - M4 Bus Lane
M4 Bus Lane. You are here: Home - In Depth - M4 Bus Lane. Perhaps the most misunderstood piece of traffic engineering ever created in this country, the M4 Bus Lane is something ...
