Default Speed Limit to be 20mph in Wales: How will this affect bus services?

[Dai Corner]

In September the default speed limit in built up areas of Wales will be reduced from 30mph to 20mph. Some roads, generally those without any properties fronting them, will stay at 30.

One would imagine that this will adversely affect bus services, extending journey times and either requiring more vehicles and drivers, or reductions in mileage.

Has this happened anywhere else or have any theoretical studies been made?

 

[Doctor Fegg]

There's been some pushback from bus companies in Oxfordshire about 20mph limits, yes, with threats to withdraw services. In the latest round of 20mph schemes (Abingdon, Faringdon etc.) they've reached a compromise with the county council, which is broadly keeping the radial roads at 30mph a little further towards the town centre.

I think cycling groups did some informal calculations working out that the impact on bus services would be pretty negligible.

 

[Tetchytyke]

One would imagine that this will adversely affect bus services, extending journey times and either requiring more vehicles and drivers, or reductions in mileage.

I doubt it. Where do buses ever get up to 30mph for any period of time in urban areas?

 

[Lucan]

I think cycling groups did some informal calculations working out that the impact on bus services would be pretty negligible.

I'm sure that cycling groups are the go-to experts on bus service economics.

 

[Doctor Fegg]

I'm sure that cycling groups are the go-to experts on bus service economics.

Almost as knowledgeable as pseudonymous posters on train enthusiasts’ online forums!

 

[Lewisham2221]

I doubt it. Where do buses ever get up to 30mph for any period of time in urban areas?

Quite often, actually.

Even increasing journey times by a few minutes has the potential to completely wipe out scheduling efficiencies. I can't imagine any operators queuing up to increase PVR to offer exactly the same level of service (and there certainly won't be any relishing the prospect of finding more drivers...) so where any increases in journey time can't be offset by other means, such as increased interworking of services, it's almost inevitable that such increased journey times would lead to either reduced frequencies, or losing sufficient sections of route to obtain the required journey time.

 

[Dai Corner]

I've found this data, which shows the average speed of buses\coaches on 30mph urban roads in 2014 was 27mph.

<a href="https://www.statista.com/statistics...erent-roads-in-great-britain-by-vehicle-type/" rel="nofollow"><img src="https://www.statista.com/graphic/1/...nt-roads-in-great-britain-by-vehicle-type.jpg" alt="Statistic: Average speed on roads in Great Britain in 2014, by road and vehicle type (in mph) | Statista" style="width: 100%; height: auto !important; max-width:1000px;-ms-interpolation-mode: bicubic;"/></a><br />Find more statistics at <a href="https://www.statista.com" rel="nofollow">Statista</a>

I presume this is the average when they're moving and doesn't take into account the fact that they spend a significant amount of time stopped to pick up or set down passengers.

 

[Fleetmaster]

Obviously it will have an impact, but I think many people might be surprised how many roads are already 20mph, being meticulously observed by buses, but not noticed because cars routinely travel them at 30mph plus.

My own road is theoretically 20mph, with all the speed camera signs (but no speed camera and very few speed limit signs). Buses already crawl along, their shiny new engines whining in protest, passengers agog at the ridiculousness of it all, time seemingly standing still. There are only three stops, despite the length.

 

[Geordie driver]

Buses reach 30 mph all the time in 30 limits and it is needed to even have a chance of keeping time.

 

[Dai Corner]

Buses reach 30 mph all the time in 30 limits and it is needed to even have a chance of keeping time.

Yep, that's what I've found when driving behind them.