New £1.6m Western Bus Gate Opens to Speed Up Journeys from St Helier

A new £1.6 million transport scheme designed to improve bus travel from St Helier to the west of the island has officially been completed.

The Western Bus Gate allows westbound buses to travel directly along the Esplanade, bypassing the busy Castle Street roundabout. The Government of Jersey says the change will make bus services more reliable by reducing delays and improving journey times.

Infrastructure Minister Deputy Jonathan Renouf said the new route is expected to cut around two minutes from westbound bus journeys.

"That might not sound like much, but when you multiply those savings by the number of passengers travelling each day, it becomes significant," he said.

Deputy Renouf added that removing buses from the Castle Street roundabout should also ease congestion for motorists while reinforcing the government's commitment to improving public transport.

"We want more people to choose the bus," he said. "Giving buses priority sends a clear message that public transport is an important part of Jersey's transport future."

The project has also delivered a range of wider improvements to the area, including new traffic lights, upgraded drainage, energy-efficient street lighting, and improved facilities for pedestrians and cyclists. The upgraded infrastructure has also been designed to support the continued development of the International Finance Centre district.

LibertyBus Director Kevin Hart welcomed the completion of the scheme, describing it as a major benefit for passengers.

He said the Castle Street junction had long been a bottleneck, particularly during peak travel times, and the new bus gate, together with revised traffic light sequencing, would help services move through the area more efficiently.

Mr Hart said more reliable journey times are one of the biggest factors in encouraging people to use public transport, adding that the investment would help make bus travel a more attractive and sustainable choice for islanders.

The Government hopes the improvements will encourage greater use of public transport while helping create a more efficient transport network across Jersey.