Preferential measures for buses

Preferential measures are road improvements or systems that enhance the flow of buses, including:  

• reserved lanes;
• priority traffic lights; and
• real-time traffic signals.

Preferential measures help reduce traffic congestion and allow public transit to be more competitive, making it faster, but also more predictable for customers.

Preferential measures for buses – Terrasses de la Chaudière and Montcalm station 

Background

1. The purpose of the study is to add preferential measures for buses in the quadrangle around Terrasses de la Chaudière, and between Terrasses de la Chaudière and the Rapibus Montcalm station. 
2. The objective is to correct significant operational issues related to road congestion, and to promote sustainable mobility in downtown Gatineau. 
3. Currently, more than 1,000 buses per day, that is to say 54% of the STO system, pass through the STO bus interchange at Terrasses de la Chaudière. The link between Terrasses de la Chaudière and the Rapibus Montcalm station also faces significant congestion during peak periods. Delays in this sector can be as long as 20 minutes.

Main benefits to STO riders

Save 15 to 20 minutes between the Rapibus and Terrasses de la Chaudière

Regularity and reliability of trip times

Main phases

• Study launch: winter 2021
• Phase 1 report: challenges, constraints and need for intervention: summer 2022
• Phase 2 report: technical recommendation: winter 2023
• Final report: winter 2023

Partners

The study is being conducted in collaboration with the following partners: 

• Ville de Gatineau
• OC-Transpo
• Ministère des Transports et de la Mobilité durable du Québec (MTMD)
• National Capital Commission (CCN)
• Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC)