Problems Solutions Good Practices - UITP

Good practice 8
34
Giving public transport priority
Kunming, capital of Yunnan province in south-western
China, has a population of 1.3 million. The city initially
planned its development through the promotion of cars
instead of pedestrians and bicycles. In 1993, the
negative consequences of this policy (congestion,
pollution and chaotic traffic) pushed the city to consider
public transport.
A master plan was delivered in 1996 with the support of
its sister city of Zurich. In 1997, in order to rapidly obtain a
good public transport system, the municipality planned a
Bus Rapid Transit network that would incrementally be
transformed into a modern tramway network. Several
successful pilot projects have already helped to
convince decision-makers.
Since April 1999 (4 months after the beginning of
construction), Kunming enjoys exclusive right-of-way for
its buses. The city is now planning new services, including
a regional network and the implementation of a
modern LRT.
A congestion free
bus network
Kunming, China
Improving bus and light rail with dedicated lanes
is cost-effective and produces rapid benefits