Bus lanes in northern Christchurch are causing traffic and financial problems, but officials say they work and will stay.
Some Papanui Rd businesses say near-misses and a drop in late- afternoon trading are common.
They are warning Sydenham businesses of the same problems when bus lanes are introduced along southern Colombo St this year.
The Christchurch City Council said it consulted on the lanes, but it did not respond to claims businesses were suffering.
Buses are juicy couture tracksuits the only vehicles allowed on the lanes between 3pm and 6pm from Monday to Friday. This was hurting many retailers, Kumfs Shoes owner Gary McConachie said. "I am noticing a real drop-off in customers between 3pm and 5pm. Those lanes have come at a very substantial cost to my business."
Fake Movado McConachie said the council used the lanes as a "revenue gatherer" by towing away parked vehicles. Buses travelled close to footpaths and it was "only a matter of time" before someone was killed, he said.
Long-time Papanui hairdresser Harry Webber said the lanes were "diabolical". "I don't understand the concept of this early rush hour. Later on in the afternoon I can understand."
Up to
embroidered patches 10 car parks were lost outside his block of shops during the bus-lane hours, Webber said.
Council capital programme general manager Kevin Locke said the council originally considered operating the lanes between 2pm and 6pm, but this was changed to between 3pm and 6pm after submissions.
"This continued to provide the best solution for improved reliability while reflecting public feedback." He said the lanes and other bus-priority measures were needed in Papanui Rd to cut previous delays of up to 35 minutes. Since the lanes began, delays had been cut by up to 11 minutes, Locke said.
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