The post that was quoted here has been removedagreed 100%
however they wont remove the rules...why? because of all the money they make when some driver goes into the bus lane. Its a joke!
On some roads you have to get in to the bus lane early to turn left, during the heavy 'rush hour' for example as no one gives away to you to turn left, yet the CCTV cameras will 'catch you' out and send a ticket!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High-occupancy_vehicle_lane#User_phenomena
"User phenomena
One symptom of HOV lanes that challenges the contention that HOV lanes are not effective has been the slugging phenomenon of the Washington DC metro area. "Slugging" is the term used to describe a unique form of commuting where drivers go to pre-arranged "slug lines" and pick up commuters who need a ride. The driver shouts out his destination, and people in the line going to that destination enter the car in a first come first served basis. There is very specific etiquette to the system to ensure a fair, consistent, and agreeable commute for all. Slugging benefits drivers by enabling them to use the HOV lane, benefits "sluggers" by getting them rides, and benefits the community by decreasing the number of cars on the road. It however also carries most of the risks and problems of hitchhiking[7]
In San Francisco and surrounding communities, designated casual carpool sites allow drivers to pick up passengers to the same destination.
When HOV lanes were first introduced in California in the 1970s, some drivers would place an inflatable person in the passenger seat in an attempt to fool regulators. This was soon outlawed, but the practice persists. In the UK, for example, in 2005 a camera that was claimed to distinguish mannequins or dolls from humans was being tested on the Forth Road Bridge in an effort to thwart cheaters.[8]
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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High-occupancy_vehicle_lane#Theory_and_practice
"Theory and practice
The relative rarity of high-occupancy vehicles compared to single occupancy vehicles—estimated at 7% of the traffic—in the United States and Canada makes HOV lanes work for the drivers who can use them. When it is uncongested, an HOV lane can move at full speed even when parallel (non-HOV) lanes suffer delays from queueing at bottlenecks. In theory, an HOV lane moves more people per lane at a higher speed while moving fewer vehicles.
In practice for some communities, including Atlanta, Houston, Los Angeles, Washington, D.C., and Seattle, HOV lanes regularly carry more people than adjacent regular lanes of travel, as reported by the Transportation Research Board HOV Committee.
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The post that was quoted here has been removedBuses transport more people with lower costs in fuel and space than passenger cars do I would imagine. Considering that you're talking about public space here, it seems like a reasonable idea. The buses clog up traffic horribly here in Los Angeles because every time they stop for passengers all the cars behind them start fighting to get into the adjacent lane (which is dangerous).
The post that was quoted here has been removedIt's not that linear, because each bus carries much more people than several cars. Every citizen taking its own car (because most of the drivers I see drive alone) is simply not efficient. In terms of congestion, in terms of pollution or in terms of fuel costs.
Why don't you use the bus if you think buses are so privileged? If you live too far, just park your car when the bus lanes begin and enjoy them.