WeGo: 4th Avenue bus-priority pilot cut downtown travel times and variability, staff says

WeGo staff presented results from a bus-priority pilot on 4th Avenue through downtown, saying the targeted pilot reduced worst-case travel times and variability on several high-ridership routes.

Katie, the staff presenter, described the pilot as a roughly 1,000-foot bus-priority lane between Church Street and just south of Broadway implemented in partnership with NDOT and MNPD. Staff said the pilot required 17 officers to control lane access, garage entries and heavy pedestrian flow; crews made in-field adjustments (starting point, signage placement, shifting from curb lane to center lane and using the bus lane to flush traffic when bottlenecks formed). Staff reported that on some pre-pilot nights buses could take over an hour to travel a quarter-mile at peak pedestrian activity, and that the pilot materially reduced those extremes and the spikes in travel time.

"Overall, this pilot was very effective in reducing travel times on 4th Avenue," Katie said. Staff also noted improved operator experience and positive rider feedback, and described next steps: piloting extended bus-priority measures for major special events, continuing operational adjustments to mitigate impacts to other traffic, and identifying a sustainable long-term plan for safe, efficient bus movement through downtown.

Board members commended the partnerships and the pilot's adaptability. No board action was required; staff will continue work with NDOT and MNPD to refine the approach and explore permanent infrastructure or event-based deployments.