The GO GEORGE system has been designed with bus stops in the traffic lane from where buses can safely ease back into traffic after picking up passengers. This helps the system keep to its schedule, as opposed to buses waiting for a gap in heavy traffic, causing a bus load of passengers to reach their destinations and workplaces late.
There are national guidelines regarding road user priority. These guidelines encourage the use of public transport and ways to make this a convenient and preferred method of transport. The goal is to decrease the number of vehicles using the roads, thereby limiting pollution.
Drivers of other vehicles should always be alert and aware that every bus stop is a potential stopping place for buses. In other words, always keep a safe following distance and expect the bus to stop at the next bus stop.
GO GEORGE bus drivers are required to give ample warning by switching on their indicators or using their hazard lights when they plan to stop.
On routes where in-lane stops may be a safety hazard or cause excessive congestion, indented stops have been built. Cost is also a consideration, as indented stops are very expensive and kept to a minimum, without compromising safety. It is also easier and less costly to move an in-lane stop when user patterns indicate the need, keeping the system affordable and flexible.
GO GEORGE bus stops are planned to be close to pedestrian crossings, either at intersections or mid-block. We appeal to passengers, and school children in particular, not to cross the road at the bus stop, but to use pedestrian crossings.
Other vehicles passing the bus will not expect a pedestrian suddenly appearing in the road, while a pedestrian right in front of or behind the bus, will not be visible to the bus driver either.