Bus users, cyclists and other road users were all considered in the design of bus stops on the redeveloped section of Fendalton Road.

The design team says the system has a good record in other cities and they think people using that section of road will quickly get used to it.

Council traffic engineer Axel Wilke says the in-lane bus stops work well on roads with at least two lanes running in the same direction.

“The bus companies told us their drivers were finding it hard to get back into the traffic if they pull all the way off the road into a bus bay, so what they’ve been doing is only pulling half-way into bus bays and that can lead to rear-end crashes,” he says.

“With these in-lane bus stops, the bus is immediately back into the flow after picking up passengers and other drivers soon learn to move into the right-hand lane.

“The system has other advantages too. It means drivers coming onto the road from side roads may find it easier to merge into the traffic because there’s less traffic in the kerbside lane.”

The new stops give cyclists two options.

On the kerbside lane there is space to the right of a stopped bus for confident riders to safely pass while others can use the cycleway that loops behind each stop.

Bollards are placed to ensure these cyclists do not go into the area used by people waiting for a bus.

“The new design follows talks with the Automobile Association, the cycle group Spokes and others,” Mr Wilke says. “All parties expect that fully blocking a traffic lane will mean fewer crashes.”