Edinburgh Fastlink

Edinburgh Fastlink Constructed under the project name West Edinburgh BuswayS (WEBS) Comprises 1.5km two lane guided busway 3.45km of on-street bus priority measures Overall corridor length is 8km from City Centre to Edinburgh Park

Edinburgh Fastlink Route West Approach and Fountain Park Development to City Centre The Gyle Shopping Centre Balgreen/ Stevenson Residential Area Stenhouse Residential Area Edinburgh Business Park Guided Busway Edinburgh Park Railway Station and Interchange Sighthill and Broomhouse Residential Sighthill Industrial Estate Hermiston Gait Retail Park

The Fastlink Route Location Mode of bus Priority Max saving in Seconds South Gyle Bus lane Dual Carriageway Converted 58 Fastlink Guided Busway 540 Stenhouse / Stevenson Drive Road widening for new Bus lane 305 Balgreen / Stevenson Road Realignment to allow Bus Lane 62 West Approach Road 114 Links in with Car Free Princes Street and Greenways on Leith Walk

Guideway 1st in Scotland Longest continuous in the UK Owned by City Council Procured and managed by tie Constructed on time and within budget Operated as open access by agreement at present single operator – Lothian Buses Quality Standards written into agreement

Powers Guideway Private Bill lodged in 1995 City of Edinburgh (Guided Busway) Confirmation Act 1998 Guided Busway by Definition On Street Traffic Regulation Orders

Features Guideway Level boarding CCTV Real time Information New Shelters

Features On Street Level boarding New Shelters Bus Lane Priority

Features Bus Operation Frequent Service Euro 3 Emissions standard or better Kneeling buses On bus CCTV

Implementation Technical support contract Guided Busway Contract General Technical advice Contract Project Managers On street design Support to TRO process on street Guided Busway Contract On Street Bus Priority Measures Contract

Partnerships Bus Operators Design and Build Contractor Maintenance and Operation Consultation and Community Liaison

Construction Method slipformed Continuously Reinforced concrete Pavement (CRCP) Designed to crack naturally

Operation Access by agreement Frequency 4 minutes 30 buses original fleet Additional 5 buses purchased 7% rise in patronage in 1st Year Improved Reliability

Guideway Performance Westbound Journey Times Average Journey Times Westbound Before & After Comparison 00:00:00 00:01:00 00:02:00 00:03:00 00:04:00 00:05:00 00:06:00 00:07:00 00:08:00 00:09:00 00:10:00 00:11:00 00:12:00 00:13:00 00:14:00 Journey Time Average AM Journey Time Bus Before Average AM Journey Time Bus After Average AM Journey Time Car Before Average AM Journey Time Car After Average Inter-peak Journey Time Bus Before Average Inter-peak Journey Time Bus After Average Inter-peak Journey Time Car Before Average Inter-peak Journey Time Car After Average PM Journey Time Bus Before Average PM Journey Time Bus After Average PM Journey Time Car Before Average PM Journey Time Car After

Guideway Performance Eastbound Journey Times Average Journey Times Eastbound Before & After Comparison 00:00:00 00:01:00 00:02:00 00:03:00 00:04:00 00:05:00 00:06:00 00:07:00 00:08:00 00:09:00 00:10:00 00:11:00 00:12:00 00:13:00 00:14:00 Journey Time Average AM Journey Time Bus Before Average AM Journey Time Bus After Average AM Journey Time Car Before Average AM Journey Time Car After Average Inter-peak Journey Time Bus Before Average Inter-peak Journey Time Bus After Average Inter-peak Journey Time Car Before Average Inter-peak Journey Time Car After Average PM Journey Time Bus Before Average PM Journey Time Bus After Average PM Journey Time Car Before Average PM Journey Time Car After

Guideway Performance Westbound Reliability

Guideway Performance Eastbound Reliability

Public Perception Sample of 182 users 12 % of existing users used the route more because of Fastlink 14 % had increased their use or started using Fastlink because of its facilities “The Guideway offers benefits over bus lanes” 76% Agree “The guided busway should be extended” 73% Agree

Public Perception Importance Ranked Benefits Reliability Journey Time Frequent Services Affordability Clear priority to buses Environmental benefits Safe and easy boarding

Public Perception Importance Ranked Facilities Real Time Information CCTV On street Bus Lanes Accessible Bus stops Guided busway track High Tech Appearance

Conclusion BRT is a success for Edinburgh ! Scottish Transport Awards 2005 Most Innovative Transport Project of the Year – Winner Measurable Journey Time savings off street Measurable Journey Time savings on street Improved Reliability Patronage Increases High Perception by passengers Partnership Delivery and Operation Significant non user benefits