There is no reason public transport users should be treated as second-class citizens at traffic lights. Public transport is the responsible choice. It causes less harm to the environment and less road congestion. Car users are effectively putting their own convenience above the good of the community.

Traffic light priority should not be restricted to premium SmartBus and tram routes. Passengers everywhere can benefit from faster journeys and more reliable timekeeping.

Buses

The SmartBus project has proved to be a success - higher frequency, faster journeys due to traffic light priority, and more late-night services have led to popularity with passengers and therefore strong patronage growth. We should aim to eventually have most bus routes in Melbourne upgraded to this standard. The most cost-effective method is a progressive roll-out:

• On new SmartBus routes, space should be allowed on the electronic information displays for all the routes which use the bus stop. Probably the simplest way would be to have the display change at intervals like the SmartGuide tram stop displays in the city.
• All new traffic light installations should be fitted with the necessary equipment to give buses priority over cars, even if no bus route is planned to use them.
• All new vehicles bought should be fitted with the ID tags to make use of the feature, even if they are not planned for use on routes fitted with the priority system.
• Priority lanes for buses should be progressively rolled out. Any projects undertaken by federal, state or local government which involve the modification of intersections should be required to provide a bus lane.

By this method, when the time comes to upgrade the route to full SmartBus standard, some of the work will be done already, reducing the cost of the project. It will also prevent expensive mistakes due to previous works having to be undone or heavily modified in order to accommodate the SmartBus infrastructure.

Contracts with manufacturers of SmartBus hardware should include standards for reliability and accuracy, which would force them to upgrade or replace faulty installations. Electronic displays that are inaccurate are worse than useless.

Trams

Several experiments have been undertaken into possible methods of reducing delays to trams. The results of these should be assessed and the most effective method(s) deployed system wide.

In particular, measures to enforce laws about cars delaying trams (eg cameras) should become widespread, to encourage motorists to change their habits and allow trams an uninterrupted journey.