High-level service bus routes

Summary

Giving priority to public transport buses improves the quality of the service and attracts more passengers.

Implementing sustainable mobility

Since buses share road space with other users, they are subject to frequent delays and disruptions. High-level service bus routes are designed to:

• ensure that buses have priority at junctions;
• improve the attractiveness of public transport, thus reducing the number of cars in the city centre and lowering emissions;
• improve reliability, frequency and speed;
• cut travel time by 20 to 30 percent; and
• reduce fuel consumption.  

Progress

Implementation studies, covering technical, financial and legal specifications, were carried out for four potential high-service routes, from among which the CITADINE option was selected as a pilot. The CITADINE service was launched in September 2004. It circulates partly against the main traffic, connecting three park and ride facilities and allowing passengers to avoid congestion when travelling to the centre of Lille. The shuttle operates with CNG-powered buses, which are less polluting and quieter than conventional buses.

One difficulty encountered was the fact that the construction of the new line was dependent on the creation of a bus corridor against the general direction of the traffic.  

Outcomes

During the project period, one high-service lane was set up, detailed implementation studies were carried out for a further three, and plans were made for 12 in the long term with a total network of 60 km, serving 20 communes, and with links to existing transport modes including the metro and tram.  During the free start-up phase, CITADINE transported 14,000 passengers daily, and following the introduction of payments for the park and ride facilities in 2005, the number of passengers was on average 12,000 per day.  

This fact sheet has been updated by a third party on the basis of available information (not by the city itself), therefore we do not guarantee any data with respect to their content, completeness or up-to-dateness.