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Edinburgh's major travel plans

17th August 1973, Page 29
17th August 1973
Page 29
Page 29, 17th August 1973 — Edinburgh's major travel plans
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Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

• A major plan to solve traffic jams and bus delay problems in Edinburgh city centre — which would include the introduction of bus expressways — has been proposed by the city's transport department.

The department is to press for special bus lanes and new fare collection systems.

us proposals follow recent "nightmare" jams when buses were taking double their normal running times. In one case, it is claimed, a 50-minute journey took 1 hour, 55 minutes.

Councillor Ian Cramond, transport committee chairman, said a combination of factors led to the situation: a large convention attended by 25,000 people, a circus and in midweek pressures increased because of a football match and a large crowd bound for the zoo.

"Extra buses were laid on but there was a strong element of frustration," he added.

The committee is now drawing up a priority list for bus lanes; an experimental fares collection system to speed boarding on 0-m-u buses, and it wants greater consultation in the venues and timings of major licensed events.

• Free bus travel for Edinburgh's elderly residents will be introduced on October 1. And the £624,000 annual bill will be borne by the general body of ratepayers and not by other passengers.

The announcement, by the city's transport manager, Mr Richard Bottrill, follows a controversial decision to offer free travel to all men over 65 and women over 60.

It is understood that Edinburgh is the first city in Britain to offer free travel without restrictions. Other councils offering similar facilities impose conditions to ensure that elderly people do not travel free during peak hours.

In Glasgow, pensioners are restricted from Monday to Friday, 9 am to 4.15 pm and from 6 pm; anywhere in the city for lp.

And in Aberdeen, elderly people can travel any distance, anytime all week within the city for 2p.


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