Theory and Practice of Bus Lane Operation in Kunming

Taking into consideration its present urban economic standards and population scale, the City of Kunming adopted a development strategy which gives priority to people's needs and public transit, pays enough attention to the environment, and supports Kunming's sustainable development. In accordance with the public-transit-first policy, Kunming successfully rolled out China's first center-lane bus lane during the 1999 World Horticultural Exposition. Recent surveys show that the bus lane is outstanding with regard to both environmental protection and passenger transport efficiency. Kunming's long-term goal is to shift the burden of public transit from buses to rail lines. Besides reporting on the implementation phase and impacts of Kunming's first center-lane bus lane, an overview of existing challenges and proposed improvements is presented.