Report Calls Vancouver's Dedicated Bus Lanes Ineffective

A report from the planning department in Vancouver has shown that the city's dedicated bus lanes have not resulted in the decreased transit travel times they were intended to achieve.

1 minute read

June 8, 2007, 1:00 PM PDT

By Nate Berg


"But in practice passengers aren't getting there any quicker."

"A report from Neda Emami of Vancouver's strategic transportation planning department admits the city's transit plan hasn't had the desired effect."

"In fact, a 2004 study warned such a plan 'would have little or no impact on bus travel times on the corridor.'"

"To test their effect, staff measured bus travel times before and after the lanes were implemented."

"For the 99 Express and the No. 9 bus, going east and west along Broadway during peak hours, the difference was so small it was within the margin of error."

"'The bus lanes appear to have little or no effect on bus travel times,' the report said."

Thursday, June 7, 2007 in The Vancouver Sun

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Use Code 25for25 at checkout for 25% off an annual plan!

Redlining map of Oakland and Berkeley.

Rethinking Redlining

For decades we have blamed 100-year-old maps for the patterns of spatial racial inequity that persist in American cities today. An esteemed researcher says: we’ve got it all wrong.

May 15, 2025 - Alan Mallach

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

May 14, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Front of Walmart store with sign.

Walmart Announces Nationwide EV Charging Network

The company plans to install electric car chargers at most of its stores by 2030.

May 7, 2025 - Inc.

Public Market sign over Pike Place Market in Seattle, Washington with pop-up booths on street.

Seattle’s Pike Place Market Leans Into Pedestrian Infrastructure

After decades of debate, the market is testing a car ban in one of its busiest areas and adding walking links to the surrounding neighborhood.

May 15 - Cascade PBS

Yellow and silver light rain train in downtown Long Beach, California.

The World’s Longest Light Rail Line is in… Los Angeles?

In a city not known for its public transit, the 48.5-mile A Line is the longest of its kind on the planet.

May 15 - Secret Los Angeles

Man reaching for young girl sliding down playground slide.

Quantifying Social Infrastructure

New developments have clear rules for ensuring surrounding roads, water, and sewers can handle new users. Why not do the same for community amenities?

May 15 - Happy Cities