12.1 Public transport introduction

Integrating public transport into development and providing connections beyond the site must be one of the design process’s key principles.

However, recent studies into new developments suggest that effective public transport links are rarely put in place (National Housing Audit - Place Alliance 2020 and Transport for New Homes). It is vital that the new homes and communities we create can be served by convenient, affordable, and reliable public transport to enable us to move around sustainably, reduce car reliance, create beautiful streets, reduce congestion and improve air-quality. This follows national and local policy including Surrey County Council's Green Futures Strategy, Surrey's Local Transport Plan (LTP4), the Travel Plans Good Practice Guide (TPGPG) and the Bus Back Better Strategy.

Public transport is essential at all scales of developments.

Ensuring convenient routes and efficient bus stop locations are important ways of encouraging public transport use.

Sustainable public transport services must be delivered early.

To avoid creating car-dependent developments and to increase the appeal and uptake of public transport, services must begin as the first residents move in.

This could be provided by extending existing routes, improving pedestrian and cycle connections to existing bus stops or providing temporary services to key destinations such as a demand-responsive minibus or a shuttle service to nearby train station.

This can be upgraded as developments grow in size and more users are living nearby.

Intergrating public transport into streets

The following principles should guide how to design streets successfully to accommodate public transport.

Wider connections.

• The development should connect into existing routes and enhance service provision for the wider neighbourhood.
• This could be achieved through route diversions, increasing frequency and hours of operation and providing a 7-day bus service along with ticketing or fare offers to increase bus use.
• Larger schemes could deliver an entirely new bus route or service.
• Where good existing public transport services are not present, they must be provided.

Permitting evolution.

• Public transport is continually evolving and the provision of alternative and complementary modes of public transport should be considered such as hail and ride bus service, shuttle services between key destinations, bike hire schemes or responsive ‘Mobility as a Service’ (MaaS) travel apps.
• Shared mobility should be considered early in the design.
• These may be particularly appropriate in rural areas with low ridership where traditional bus services may not be practical.

Using the street hierarchy.

To ensure direct and efficient bus services, routes within new developments should follow the street hierarchy. They will normally run along primary streets, high street or secondary streets (4.14).

Bus routes.

• Streets that will accommodate bus routes should be fairly direct without too many frequent turns.
• Parking control, bus stop location and highway geometry are all key considerations.
• Bus priority could be facilitated through bus gates or priority signals at junctions.
• Speed management should be bus friendly and be designed in consultation with bus providers to ensure acceptance.
• In high streets or areas of high footfall it is fine to allow slower bus speeds where pedestrians will become the priority.

Larger schemes.

On larger schemes bus only corridors should be included to provide quick and direct access to key facilities. These should be combined with pedestrian and cycle routes.

Public transport integration.

Routes must be designed holistically and consider pedestrian and cycle access to and from bus stops to allow for seamless transitions with different modes of public and active travel. Sufficient safe cycle parking by bus stops and locating bus stops in development centres or next to schools is essential.