RIPTA looks to make streets bus-friendly

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) -- Rhode Island transit officials are working to make the streets more bus-friendly.

The Providence Journal reports that the Rhode Island Public Transit Agency is giving buses the advantage at traffic lights, staking out space at bus stops so police ticket parked cars and altering curbs to accommodate faster bus loading.

RIPTA is installing sensors and other electronic equipment at traffic lights to allow buses to prolong green lights and travel faster. Sensors on the lights respond to signals from the buses.

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The equipment does not let buses turn red lights green as emergency vehicles do. But equipment will let buses keep lights green longer during which they can pass.

RIPTA also is using bus boxes, which are painted spaces for buses to pull into at bus stops with warnings to others to not park there.