From 14 November 2022, Portsmouth-licensed private hire vehicles – cars that can be booked using a phone or an app but cannot use taxi ranks – are able to use five bus lanes in the city, in the same way that taxis, emergency vehicles on blue lights, pedal cycles and rental e-scooters already can.
The trial will last for at least three months and has been given the go ahead in response to requests from private hire vehicle drivers in the city. It is in line with the council’s vision to provide easy, faster travel options for everyone in the city 24 hours a day, including those who cannot easily walk, cycle, or take the bus.
As part of the trial, we have consulted with bus lane users in the city and have agreed to monitor the trial using a wide range of measurements including cycling near misses that can reported by using an online form.
The bus lanes that are included in the trial are:
- Cavell Drive which accesses QA hospital
- Marketway (westbound), which runs behind Cascades shopping centre allowing people to get to Portsea, Portsmouth Historic Dockyard and Gunwharf Quays among others
- Queen Street near HMS Nelson
- Bishop Crispian Way which runs past Victoria Park (Straight ahead into Queen Street only at the junction with Anglesea Road/Alfred Road)
- Mile End Road (southbound) which runs past the Ferry Port on the way into the city
Temporary yellow information signs will be in place along the five bus lanes at the beginning of the trial. These signs will be removed after several weeks. This will not mark the end of the trial.
Your safety is important to us, and if you see anything you’re concerned about you can report a near miss:
Or through Hampshire Constabulary’s Hants SNAP:
Report an incident to Hampshire Constabulary
