Groningen scraps bus routes from city center to give bikers more space

The Groningen city council decided to make the city center bus-free, in order to give pedestrians and cyclists more space. The asphalt will be replaced with terraces, trees and more seating in the future, GIC reports. The buses will be completely phased out by 2018, according to the plan a majority of the council agreed to. This means that buses will no longer travel on the Grote Markt or Brugstraat. They will travel a new route across Diepenring and Zuiderdiep. The SP and Qbuzz bus drivers opposed the plan. They think that the Grote Markt at least should remain easily accessible for everyone. Alternatives will be figured out for people who have mobility problems.