Proposal for St Helier Town Hopper Bus Service

Introduction

A six months trial of a St Helier town Hopper Bus service in the past proved very successful. Some years on, the traffic situation in town is worsening, the air quality is bad, and pedestrians and cyclists are suffering because of the congestion. An initiative to reintroduce a town hopper bus service has been launched.

Objectives

The service should primarily encourage commuters, shoppers and town goers to leave their cars in the major car parks, which in return would reduce the number of private cars in the town centre.

This would improve the air quality, benefit the environment, the cleanliness of buildings and make town a more pleasant place to be. It would also get the big buses out of the town centre, which often have difficulty manoeuvring around
the narrow roads and corners.

People who use the service would be having a positive "feel good" impact on St.Helier.

The service would be especially valuable for elderly people, families and visitors.

Proposition

The Hopper Bus should:

• Service all the major car parks such as Green Street, Sand Street, Esplanade, Minden Place, the underground car park (Castle Quay), public car park near the Radisson Hotel and possibly Pier Rd. car park.
• Service amenities such as Liberation Square, Public Library, Post Office, General Hospital, Grand Marche Supermarket, Millennium Park, Howard Davis Park.
• Service visitor attractions such as Jersey Museum (incl. Tourism Office), Arts Centre, CCA Galleries, Town Church.
• Service the ferry in accordance with the timetable.

Vehicles

Type: Minibus with wheel chair access and aisle, preferably electric.
Amount: Minimum three.
Hours: 07.30 hrs to 18.00.
Interval: every 20 min or less

Fare

The ideal scenario would be a free service. If that is not possible it is recommended that the fares should low and easily affordable, to encourage people to use the service.

Pensioners, children and disabled people should travel free.

Suggested route

The route, which was used in the trial period in the past, still seems to be viable. However it is suggested to add a loop around the General Hospital and the Grand Marche Supermarket at Gas Place.

Furthermore a smaller, second bus loop servicing the East of St. Helier is also suggested.

West route (blue)
Conway Street - Broad Street - Charing Cross - York Street - The Parade - Canon Street -Lempriere Street - Union Street - Burrard Street - Minden Place - Bath Street - Gas Place - L 'Avenue et Dolmen - La Rue de Masurier - Stopford Rd -
David Place - Val Plaisant - New Street - Burrad Street - Minden Place - Bath Street - Beresford Street - Halkett Place - Hill Street - Mulcaster Street – Esplanade – La Route Du Port Elisabeth ... When a ferry arrives or leaves
continue until Elizabeth Harbour Terminal...

La Route Du Port Elizabeth – Castle Street – Esplanade - Conway Street

East route (green)
Bus terminal - Esplanade - la Route de la Liberation - through the tunnel - la Route du Fort - St. Clements Road - Colomberie - Green Street - Colomberie - Snow Hill - Hill Street - Mulcaster Street - Esplanade.

Minor issues in the existing traffic system (e.g. No right turn from The Parade to Canon Street) will have to be addressed.

Conclusion

There is no doubt, that the traffic concentration and congestion in the town of St.Helier is a serious concern. Furthermore the air quality is bad and as a consequence of these combined factors the town experience for pedestrians and cyclists is unpleasant and often unsafe.

To reduce the motorised traffic influx in town via a Hopper Bus service would certainly be a way forward, followed by more traffic free zone in the future.

It is important that the citizens of Jersey recognise the urgency and that the Hopper Bus system is promoted in such a way that people find it attractive to use and are proud of their contribution to a healthier, safer and more pleasant town experience.