Urban roadspace has always been contested among modes. The promotion of sustainable travel allows transit passengers, pedestrians and cyclists to benefit from many prioritisation schemes. Despite these initiatives, bus speeds have continued to decline and there is evidence that this is correlated with reductions in patronage. Drawing on longitudinal performance data and survey evidence from 15 large public bus organisations in cities in Europe, Asia and North America, the study identifies a persistent decline in bus speeds over the past decade. This paper examines a specific factor of declining bus speeds; the day-to-day operational impacts of roadspace reallocation schemes. Bus operators report that, while some roadspace reallocation measures can be detrimental to bus performance, others can enhance reliability when supported by enforcement and monitoring. Policy suggestions include maintaining awareness for the changes in bus speeds, accelerating the expansion of bus priority measures, scaling up automated enforcement, and enhancing bus operational input to roadspace scheme design. Overall, the findings underscore the recognised benefits of integrated planning frameworks that balance active travel objectives with the speed, reliability, and attractiveness of bus services as a cornerstone of sustainable urban mobility.
