A recent trial allowing private hire vehicles (PHVs) to use a limited number of bus lanes in Portsmouth will not be extended, Portsmouth City Council reports, following a monitoring report presented at its Transport Cabinet Decision Meeting on 24 October 2024. PHVs include pre-booked cars from operators such as Uber.
The Portsmouth trial began in November 2022 and became permanent in January 2024, and allowed PHVs licensed by the council to use five specific bus lanes across the city. However, the council decided not to expand the initiative further, citing no demonstrated benefits to overall traffic flow, potential safety concerns for expanding the trial, and significant implementation costs.
In line with national guidance, Portsmouth’s bus lanes are typically reserved for buses, cyclists, rental e-scooters, hackney carriages, and emergency vehicles, with unauthorised vehicles facing a £70 fine for improper use.
Portsmouth City Council reports that bus ridership is up 20% from last year, and approximately 12 million passengers use the bus network annually, and the city has recently benefited from a £48 million investment in new electric buses, ticketing improvements, and enhancements to bus stops and signage.
Cllr Peter Candlish, Cabinet Member for Transport, said: “This trial aimed to explore how we might sensibly support private hire vehicles, which provide an important 24-hour on-demand travel option. While they can play a role in reducing congestion, there was insufficient evidence of traffic flow improvement, along with considerable costs and limited data to support expanding this initiative at this time. Given current pressures on council funds, we have other areas where this money can have a greater impact for the city.”
The five bus lanes included in the original trial will remain accessible to Portsmouth City Council licensed private hire vehicles, with ongoing monitoring to assess any future impacts.
