Public Transport

Introduction

Public transport has an important role to play in a modern, sustainable multi-modal transport system. It should be a central element in any TDM strategy, and especially those in urban areas. Public transport can: • move high numbers of people in an efficient and affordable

manner • provide increased accessibility to individuals without access

to a car • support land use objectives and policies • offer ticketing regimes that are free from the vagaries of oil

price changes. This section provides an overview on public transport planning. There are also sections dedicated to public transport by bus and by rail (light and heavy).

Electric Trolley Bus in Wellington, New Zealand

Objective

Accessibility Public transport offers individuals, who do not have access to a

car, the ability to reach services such as education, medical care, supermarkets, work and leisure activities. It is important that the public transport network provides accessibility for all, and this means taking into account the needs of mobility-impaired people.

Efficient allocation of space

Public transport moves high numbers of people in an efficient way. A bus full of people takes up less road space than the equivalent number of people in cars.

Support land-use policy

Well planned public transport systems can support the land-use policies of a region or town. Higher densities and intensification can be supported by providing high quality public transport to them.

Environment Increasing public transport usage can result in fewer car

journeys. One of the key objectives of public transport is to improve the environment in relation to noise and air pollution as well as in relation to green house gases.

Safety Moving large volumes of people by public transport is safer

than moving individuals in private cars, both in terms of personal risk but also in terms of the danger posed to other road users.

Multimodal Public transport represents an option for moving people over

short, medium and longer distances. Public transport will often form the main and largest link in a multimodal chain with walking, cycling or park & ride at either end.

Benefits

Theory A key point when considering public transport options over

other modes is that it has the ability to move large numbers of people in fewer vehicles. This means higher numbers of people transported with less congestion.

Subway Train in Bilbao, Spain

Environment Moving more people in fewer vehicles has the potential to

reduce the environmental impacts of transport.

Economy Public transport has a major role to play in moving people in an urban environment. Without sufficient public transport, the road network would either need to expand at considerable cost or would suffer significant congestion with immediate impacts to the economy. The amount of income spent on transport is also a factor to consider. Cars cost significant amounts (purchase, interest payments, parking, fuel etc).

Congestion management

Public transport uses road space more efficiently and is thus able to assist with congestion management.

Safety and personal security

A well designed and busy public transport system provides a very safe environment for travel. In relation to accidents, both rail and buses are by far the safest modes of transport over other land transport options.

In terms of personal safety, people's fear of crime can be overcome by increased surveillance, good lighting and policing.

Efficient transport spending

By providing a viable alternative to the private car the need to increase capacity on the road network is reduced. In fact as buses use less road space per person carried then the need for road space and the maintenance of it could be decreased.

Go Bus in Hamilton, New Zealand

Liveability The quality of the connections between places is fundamental

to a successful liveable city and the cities voted as most liveable tend to be those with high quality and efficient public transport. Public transport is sometimes the only way people without access to car can reach day-to-day services and activities (work, doctors, supermarket etc).

Health and fitness

The use of public transport has strong links with increased levels of walking and other active modes. These in turn have strong advantages for an individual’s personal health and fitness.

Choice Public transport provision increases people's travel options,

which in turn has benefits such as increasing the adaptability and resilience of the transport system. Providing people with realistic choices for how (and when) to travel is fundamental to a good demand management strategy.

Tools for public transport by bus

Network planning

Before starting the process of reviewing a public transport system or planning a new one, some simple questions are worth considering: • What role does the town or region want the public transport

system to fulfil? • Is the goal limited to giving a basic service to people unable

to cater for their own transport? • Is the aim to relieve car traffic congestion in peak periods? • Is the aim to provide a public transport system that offers a

quicker, cheaper and better quality of service than the car in a transport system that places the needs of public transport, walking and cycling significantly ahead of private car users?

In asking these questions it is useful to define a minimum standard of service that your region or town wants. The implications of this decision will naturally alter the planning and funding outcomes for a public transport system.

Good practice

Transport policy research has identified institutional factors that might be considered essential for good practice: • All large urban regions with success in public transport

policy have a strong regional organisation that integrates public transport services into regional networks and policies

• Many different regional models are workable • A strong public commitment to finance public transport is a

pre-requisite for high quality public transport • Economic incentives to operators are needed but can take

different forms • Soft measures can play an important role • See the journey from planning to the destination via quality

infrastructure and vehicles • Establish partnerships that see public infrastructure

investment matched with private sector investment. • Push (measures like road pricing that push people out of

their cars) and Pull (high quality bus services) factors must work together

• Interaction with public policies (like land-use planning) outside transport is important

Scoping The study area must be defined and understood. Within the

area there will be important aspects and details to consider. City services will no doubt differ to regional ones. The different roles that public transport will play within an area, and even by time of day, need to be understood and clarified. Network development should take account of urban structure and the varying densities of demand.

Network The role which public transport must play in a transport system

will determine the type of network that emerges. A network that increases accessibility will need to penetrate deep into communities while one that competes with the car will need to provide high frequency high speed services. There can often be conflicting roles and requirements within an area or network but understanding them will lead to better planning outcomes. Planning a system that offers everything to everyone is of course very expensive, so priorities must be understood.

Know your users

While planning a network, a thorough understanding of the market, current users and non users is vital. An attractive and competitive network will meet the needs, demands and expectations of users and non-users. Although there are common expectations and qualities that can affect the demand for public transport, there are also local variations that need to be understood and captured.

Tram/Light Rail in Melbourne, Australia

Operators It is fundamental to understand the point of view of likely

operators when planning a network. The details of fares, revenue, route length, operating hours, congestion plus many others will have dramatic impacts on the operator. The scope of planning will be affected by the degree of market regulation within a region. The public service approach to planning public transport will differ to a market-driven approach. Best practice is to combine the advantages of integrated planning with the advantages of market competition off the road. (Hensher & Houghton 2003)

Long term stability

To influence urban developments (land-use planning), the long term stability of the public transport system is important. The permanency of a light rail system will attract developers, as they know it will be a long term fixture. Bus networks, with lower infrastructure costs, offer less permanency than a rail network, for example. Saying that there are still mechanisms to instil permanency into a bus network or corridor (Busways, BRT, highly quality bus stops etc).

Frequency When the role of public transport is to compete with the car,

short waiting times are advantageous. Concentrating services along corridors enables higher frequency services. Urban services with departures at less than every 12 minutes enable individuals to ‘forget the timetable’.

Simple network

High frequency corridors create simple network structures which are easier to understand and so increase its attractiveness to some users. However a high frequency corridor approach means that more individuals will live further away and this in turn will have an impact on the elderly or disabled for example. Again, it is important to consider the fundamental purpose of the public transport network.

Speed and punctuality

Fast and punctual operations at the highest possible speed of service are fundamental. The operational speed determines both the cost efficiency and the attractiveness of the public transport system.

Operational speed

Journey time is a major determinant of how people travel and has a significant impact on the operating costs. Planning should therefore consider all possibilities for speeding services, including: • road network design • priority traffic management and control through bus lanes,

priority traffic signals etc. • ticketing systems • real time information • optimal location and distance between stops • design of vehicles • design of stops • information management to influence customer behaviour

Pendulum service

A pendulum service describes a public transport route that brings people into the CBD but does not terminate at a central place. The service continues on to terminate at a further location. The benefit of this is that a small but significant number of passengers will not have to change services. Reducing the number of terminating services in CBD stations also improves the use of space at these stations due to the reduced dwell time. A pendulum service can be introduced by pairing existing services that terminate at a CBD station.

Increase demand by improving quality

There are many aspects that contribute to the quality of service provided and received by individuals. No matter what form of public transport is being considered demand will be maximised by a high quality of service. For some individuals, for example, reliability will be a more important consideration than speed or cost, and vice versa for others, getting the highest quality service possible on all quality factors should be a priority if you are to attract larger numbers.

Reliable and Punctual

Journey times should be reliable to enable people to plan their travel, Arrivals and departures should be punctual so as not to cause extended waiting etc. Interventions that may assist: • bus priority • low floor buses • off-bus ticketing or simplified pricing • design of bus stops and bus stop environment • design of vehicles • optimal location of stops • express services • real time information (displayed at the bus stop or on

mobile phone) • good customer care

Northern Busway, Auckland.

Affordable Public transport provides a service for many different segments

of society, including those without access to a car such as young people, retired people etc., and, as such, affordability is a key aspect of any system. Suggested interventions: • concessionary fares (free or highly discounted for

pensioners, or under 18's)

• off-peak fare policies • integrated ticketing

Timely The time it takes for a journey should be reasonable but ideally

should offer a speed advantage over the private car (remember a bus with 30 people on board should have priority over a car with 1 or 2 people). Although this can be very difficult, an holistic approach to speeding up journeys and a firm objective to tackle car usage could lead to bus journeys being faster than car journeys. For example the bus tunnel through Mt Victoria in Wellington offers major time savings for many individuals compared to a car trip. Similar dramatic interventions would be needed to substantially alter travel times and so provide faster journeys than if travelling by car. Suggested interventions: • off-bus ticketing or simplified pricing • bus priority • low floor buses • design of stops • design of vehicles • optimal location of stops • real time information.

Ease of use The following aspects of the system need to be easy for both

users and non-users to remember or find out: • where to go • which vehicle to catch • how to get there • how to buy a ticket • how much it will cost. These aspects often become second nature for everyday users, but to attract new users, this information must be readily available. A well-designed process will allow users to instinctively understand some of these aspects. Recommendations: • simple network and timetable • quality information at stops (simply timetable, maps – route

and local) • real time information • good on-line and phone information • interchanges should make changing services easy, quick,

comfortable (undercover, seating etc) and have clear information

• skilled drivers with good knowledge of route.

Comfort To increase demand for a service it should be comfortable to use. A quality service will provide comfortable seating for all passengers, a smooth ride, easy transitions between stops, good waiting environments and hold rails if standing is expected. Recommendations: • Seek to make the ride as comfortable as possible through

driver training (drivers aware of different types of users such as mothers with prams, disabled etc.), maintenance of vehicles and good quality road surfaces.

• Very high quality seating may be appropriate. • Make the waiting environment as comfortable as possible.

Access Making the service as accessible as possible is desirable. At one

level it is about individuals getting to the service (bus stop, station etc). At a more detailed level it is about getting on and off the service. Recommendations: • Know the issues for different users (elderly, children,

shoppers etc) • Concentrate on the details at points where people get on

and off a service (bus stops, bus stations). Good design will enable buses to get parallel to the kerb side. To reduce difficulties boarding buses, kerbs can be raised or special kerbing installed.

• Think about parking either side of a bus stop and how it may impede bus movements.

• Consider removing parking within and around interchanges and stations as this can reduce access for other modes.

• Interchanges and stations should have good internal and external access with a focus on encouraging walking and cycling.

• Provide low-floor or kneeling buses. • Ensure sufficient width within corridors.

Practical The goal of public transport should be to transport people from

where they are to where they want to go. Recommendations: • Know your users. • Undertake good network planning. • Ensure there is adequate space for luggage or bikes.

High Quality pedestrian and cycle facilities connect low income communities with the Bus Rapid Transit system in Bogotá. (Photo Lloyd Wright)

Clean and attractive

People value the environment in which they travel. Car advertising focuses on the quality of cars interiors and similar aspects would be valued by public transport users. Maintaining a clean and attractive service starts on-board but should equally focus on the waiting environment and the environment getting to and from a stop. Recommendations:

• high maintenance standards on services (removing graffiti, rubbish and ensuring seating is in good condition)

• high standards in the waiting environment (graffiti, rubbish, good lighting)

• high standards around the waiting environment (good lighting, drainage managed, removal of graffiti, rubbish, well-maintained footpaths etc.).

• Safety Although public transport offers a very safe form of mobility

there are sometimes concerns about personal safety both on-board and while waiting and moving to and from a stop or

station. This might be around late night services or when there is poor natural surveillance. Recommendations: • Good design utilising natural surveillance and lighting at and

around waiting areas can improve perceptions of safety. • Other interventions on-board can improve perceptions if

deemed necessary (CCTV, late night security, adequately trained conductors/drivers).

• Seat belts are an option on buses.

Integrated ticketing

Purchasing a ticket that can be used on multiple forms of public transport encourages public transport use. By integrating the ticketing the passenger has a more seamless journey. Modern contactless smart cards are in operation globally. Cards like the Octopus Card (Hong Kong), Oyster Card (London) and Go Card (Brisbane) allow transfers between various forms of transport and can be used to make some other purchases. The use of a smart card also reduces the need for cash handling on the public transport service and should reduce the boarding times.

Contactless smart card and reader

Where to apply these tools

Large Metro

Urban Area

Town Rural

Network planning ««« ««« ««« ««« Service quality ««« ««« ««« «««

This table is an indication only. Individual projects should consider the unique features of the local environment.

Case Study – UK, Nottingham, Best Practice Initiatives for Public Transport Planning

Introduction Nottingham has a number of initiatives that represent some

aspects of best practice in public transport planning. Within this section the following ideas are introduced: • integrated public transport – buses supporting the tram • customer focus • park and ride • parking restriction management • safer bus routes

The fundamental feature of this case study is that public transport planning was part of a wider transport strategy to improve all transport and part of a wider strategy to support growth and economic development in the city and region.

Integrated public transport

Nottingham introduced its first tram line, Nottingham Express Transit (NET) in 2004. The consortium to build and operate the line included the main local bus operator so there was immediately an incentive for the main bus operator and NET to integrate. Integration features included the following:

• Reduction in core route frequencies paralleling NET • Expanded frequencies away from NET, so NET provide

main corridor frequency while buses focus on local penetration.

• Through ticketing was established from feeder buses to light rail.

• The branding for the feeder buses and trams were the same.

• Voluntary integration into NET was sought from competing bus services.

• High quality walk/cycle routes were provided to feed NET • NET was integrated with national rail network with nearby

stations and possible through ticketing. • A host of soft measures was used to educate the public

and promote the transport system.

(Image shows matching branding of bus and light rail in Nottingham) http://www.nao.org.uk/publications/0304/improving_public_transport.aspx

Customer focus – Trent Barton bus operator

Trent Barton Buses is the second-largest bus operator in the Nottingham region, with a fleet of 400 buses. Trent Barton is a private company with managers encouraged to adopt ‘leading edge’ marketing and a fundamental aspect of this is understanding their customers. In fact, the company is so dedicated that it drops its managers in the middle of the city with only £5 and leaves them to find their way back to the office. Such unorthodox experiments have led the company to adopt four business tenets: investment, marketing, training, and attention to detail.1 Innovations introduced by Trent Barton: Area Purpose Vehicle fleet In its desire to provide a quality product to its

customers, the company decided to make its vehicles as attractive, clean, safe, and accessible as possible2. Its fleet of buses is one of the youngest in the U.K.

Employee training and recruitment

The company hires people with people skills, then trains them to be vehicle operators, rather than teaching customer service skills to drivers. After graduating from the special Trent Barton "University,” bus drivers are required to attend refresher courses3.

Driver Route Trent Barton rosters keep the same drivers on 1 Journal of Business & Economics Research – July 2008 Volume 6, Number 7 59 2 Hopwood, M., 2003. Trent Barton Buses, Institute for Transport Studies, University of Leeds. 3 Ibid

Driver route knowledge

Drivers keep to the same routes everyday so they are able to get to know the customers and become route experts.

Customer focus

Trent Barton offers an unconditional money-back guarantee to its customers. Scheduling and operations are all dependent on what the marketing department finds is best for the customer through regular customer surveys.

Branding To increase the recognition of its brand, catchy names are attached to routes. For example, some of the names of its routes are “Ilkeston Flyer”, “Spondon Flyer”, “Rainbow 5”, or “The Mickleover.” These interesting names have historical significance or were designed to make the buses stand out.

Co-operation In order to deliver a quality product, Trent Barton cooperates with local government to ensure that the infrastructure on which its buses run provides efficient travel. Great lengths are taken to form partnerships with local authorities so Trent Barton can have bus lanes and other priority provisions at its disposal.

Park and Ride

To support the aims of the transport strategy in Nottingham, seven Park and Ride sites have been established on the edge of the city. From these locations there are direct services straight into the city centre. Park and Ride sites offer high quality facilities and are purpose built. Travelling to the city is cheaper from the park and ride sites, than driving and parking in the city centre.

Parking restrictions and parking tax

In 1990, a parking strategy was developed and this is regularly updated. The aim is to limit street parking and control the increasing number of off-street parking spaces. This supports public transport as well as walking and cycling, and helps with the management of congestion. In addition to this, a work-place parking levy is being introduced. This will force employers with more than 10 parking spaces to pay an annual levy for each space. It is hoped that this will incentivise employees and employers to think more about their travel to work. The revenue from the levy would be used to improve local bus services and to fund the expansion of the tram network.

Safer Bus Routes

The Safer Bus Routes scheme was introduced in Nottingham in 1996/7 as a response to City Challenge work with local groups

that identified a level of fear walking to and waiting at bus stops and travelling on buses, particularly at night. A partnership, led by the City Council, put in new bus shelters, each named and with a clear stop pole and flag, and a current timetable. The shelters were located close to new street lighting and away from areas local people feared. At some shelters, pay phones were installed, to give people confidence that they could get help if they needed it. Buses were retimed slightly, to provide a reliable timetable that was easier to understand. Timetables were delivered to households. Bus drivers on the routes were given customer care training. The results of a survey show that, although people did not have any recognition for the Safer Bus Routes scheme, they did feel safer using the routes. To support this, patronage on the two routes targeted increased by 6-8%.

Complementary Measures Restricting car use

The improvement of public transport can be supported by introducing initiatives to restrict car usage. These may include: • Road space reallocation/priority lanes • Parking restrictions • Increased parking charges • Traffic management

Land-use planning

Where we live, work and undertake daily activities have a large impact on how and when we travel. Land-use proposals such as transit-orientated developments (TOD's), smart growth and intensification can support public transport by increasing the base of users.

Walking and cycling

Walking and cycling are closely associated with public transport usage, as people travel to and from the bus stop or station. High quality facilities for walking and cycling will therefore also support public transport usage.

Travel planning

Travel planning is about providing adequate choices across a range of modes. A co-ordinated approach to travel planning will ensure that public transport is appropriately positioned within the multi-modal framework.

Travel information systems

This system provides real time information to public transport users to advertise the times of the next services.

What other policies may this address Health Due to its dependence on active modes at the beginning and

end of each journey, public transport has the potential to increase people's activity levels, and therefore to benefit their health.

Congestion A well utilised public transport system is one method of

managing congestion and continued growth Environment The energy efficiency of a well planned and utilised public

transport network can have benefits to the environment including: • Reduced emissions per capita • Reductions in vehicle km travelled

Liveability The close association with walking and cycling means that

public transport can form a fundamental feature of a more liveable community.

Accessibility Public transport is sometimes the only way people without

access to a car can reach day-to-day services and activities (work, doctors, supermarket etc) they need. The provision of public transport therefore increases the equity of transport provision.

Safety Crash risk increases with per capita vehicle mileage, so policies

that stimulate vehicle travel tend to increase crashes. On the other hand, traffic reductions and shifts to alternative modes, such as public transport, tend to increase safety and health.

Further Information Transit and Quality of service Manual. TCRP Report 100

Public Transport – Planning the networks. HiTrans Best Practice Guide The Demand for public transport: a practical guide. TRL Research report 593. Performance-based quality contracts for the bus sector: delivering social and commercial value for money. Hensher, D and Houghton, E. 2003. Keeping Buses Moving (DfT) local transport note 1/97 Best Practice in Transit Service Planning (USA) Florida Dept of Transportation 2009 (For more information see DfT ‘Personal security issues in pedestrian journeys’ Viewed at http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/crime/personalsecurity/personalsecurityissuesinpede3005?page=21).