Measuring the influence of bus service quality on the perception of passengers
Nov-2015
Study analyses data from 512 questionnaires conducted in Belfast to determine the influence that perceived bus quality has upon the perceptions of both current and potential users. Research identifies 11 significant indicators that are reported to have a significant influence on the perception of bus users. The study uses these indicators to suggest optimisations that could be made to improve quality of bus services with the perceptions of current and potential users.
An ideal journey: making bus travel more desirable
Apr-2016
Study exploring the ways people make use of their time whilst on buses, and how the knowledge can be used to make bus travel more appealing and drive modal shift away from private cars. Study combines a 840 person survey of bus users in Bristol, with an analysis of online discussions and focus groups.
Bus passengers’ priorities for improvement
Feb-2020
Study into what bus passengers consider to be important for improving buses. Key areas were: Buses arriving on time, buses going to more places, value for money, faster journey times, tackling antisocial behaviour and improving passenger information.
Improving public transport through machine learning influence flow analysis (MIFA): Southern England bus case study
Apr-2025
Paper introduces a Machine Learning Influence Flow Analysis framework intended to identify key influencers of public transport usage. Study finds that easy payments, e-ticketing and mobile applications can substantially improve public transport service. Study recommends making use of smart ticketing systems and contactless payments to enable more efficient allocation of resources, resulting in a more streamlined service that encourages increased ridership and improves user satisfaction.
Retaining bus riders: A lifecycle longitudinal analysis of behavioural status transitions from entry to exit
Jun-2024
Using smart card data, study aims to analyse user behaviour to determine how users may begin to transition away from bus user. Study notes that users first decrease travel frequency before transitioning to irregular travel patterns. Study recommends retention policies such as tiered usage incentives and personalised communication strategies, aimed at different stages of the user life cycle.
Demographic disparities, service efficiency, safety and user satisfaction in public bus transit system: A survey-based case study in the City of Charlotte, NC
Dec-2024
Study concerning attitudes towards service limitations, safety concerns and technological improvements through a demographic lens. The research finds that East Charlotte residents and women face limited routes and longer wait times, black and East Charlotte residents have higher concerns about safety, there are privacy concerns among wealthier and infrequent users and there is strong preference for technological improvements, especially among infrequent users.
Current practices and emerging trends of transit apps for fixed-route bus services in the U.S.
Jul-2023
Study providing and overview of transit apps used by various transit agencies in the United States. The researchers conducted interviews with 21 transport industry leaders, and synthesized perceived benefits and costs to transit apps. The study identifies five existing business models and emerging trends of transit apps and aims to improve transit app knowledge and provide practical recommendations for future improvements.
The value of the bus to society
Oct-2016
Report advocating for policy and investment in bus transport, aiming to demonstrate the societal improvements it can induce. The report uses research from KPMG and the Institute from Transport Studies, which claims that for every £1 of investment in local bus services, £7 can be delivered in net economic benefit. Furthermore, the research notes the existing benefit buses provide, such as: being the primary mode of accessing city centres, getting 3.5 million people into work and allowing for the creation of more than £64bn worth of goods and services.
Maximising the benefits of local bus services
Jul-2020
Report presents new analysis into how to improve the economic, environmental and social value derived from bus services. The report suggests that with £3bn (£1bn from the zero-emission vehicles, £2bn from the government's 2020 grant for public transport improvements) services could be improved so that areas which are currently falling behind could meet the same patronage levels as the current best-performing areas.
Building a world class bus system for Britain
May-2016
Report containing a variety of recommendations towards making significant improvements to Britain's bus services. Report ultimately recommends: requiring local transport authorities (LTAs) to make improvements to bus services, giving LTAs to re-regulate bus services, to encourage franchising agreements, to encourage efficient and fair industrial relations, to allow the creation of competitive municipal bus providers, to expand the role of LTAs, and to improve bus funding via increased spending, streamlining and devolution.
The 'True Value' of local bus services
Jul-2017
Study considering the value for money of local bus services, evaluating types of bus intervention (i.e. concessionary use, bus service operator grant) to determine, using a consistent framework, an assessment of these policies from a environmental, social and economic value perspective. Report concludes that investment in bus services provides significant value, both for other road users, and wider communities. Additionally, the report advocates for investment in interventions which improve the attractiveness of public transport via fare reductions or service improvements.
Factors affecting local bus demand and potential for increase
Mar-2021
A study in the factors that have impacted local bus demand, also looks into how these could increase demand. Factors investigated are: fares, service frequencies, journey time, car ownership and use, competing or complementary relationships with other modes and overall user experience. The report also looks into three case studies in Wales.
We need fare-free buses! It’s time to raise our sights
Mar-2018
Policy proposal advocating for fare-free buses, funded by a public transport payroll levy. The paper runs through a variety of case studies showcasing the feasibility of fareless public transport. Suggests that funding this proposal would be highly feasible as public money already accounts for 40% of bus operator revenue.
Getting free passholders back on buses
Jul-2023
Report into how older and disabled free bus pass holders may be encouraged to use buses, conducted in the context of the significant drop in concessionary use that occurred post-pandemic. The report suggests two possible reasons for this decline. The first is that concessionary users are simply getting out less due to the cost of living crisis and high street closures. The second suggests that the decline is patronage is due to a decline in bus services. The report claims that coronavirus plays a limited factor in dissuading bus use, with only 7% concerned about catching the virus due to using the bus.
Making great bus journeys
Nov-2024
Report conducts an analysis on a national bus user survey to determine what bus passengers find most important to a good bus journey. The report recommends further use of franchising and enhanced bus partnerships, alongside work by local authorities to enforce measures to speed up buses to ensure they quickly and on time. The report also recommends reviews of operational and ticketing arrangements to reduce dwell time and reduce cancellations.
Using the bus - what young people think
Feb-2018
Report concerning how to encourage more young people to use buses, and to improve customer satisfaction among young people. The report notes some improvements made by bus operators including: cheaper and more comprehensible fares for those in full-time education, introducing free Wi-Fi and charging on buses and using mobile technology to provide smart ticketing and journey planning.
Buses on Highway England’s roads: meeting the needs of passengers and the bus companies
Dec-2019
Investigation into how to better meet the needs of bus users who use buses that run on the Strategic Road Network (SRN). The report contains a number of recommendations for Highways England, including reducing dwell times at stops, upgrading bus stops, considering how road closures may affect passengers - and in limited circumstances allowing for buses to use closed roads, and working with operators to better integrate with services running on adjacent roads.
Park and ride for Highway England’s roads
Nov-2020
Study concerning how park and ride services may be able to reduce traffic levels on the strategic road network (SRN). Study suggests focusing on providing a clear reason for passengers to shift modes (i.e. faster, cheaper journeys) could alleviate congestion on the SRN.
The route ahead: getting passengers back on buses
Jun-2021
Report aiming to understand how perceptions and experiences of bus passengers have changed as a result of the COVID-19 Pandemic. Focuses on three user groups: Current users, Former Users, and Non-Users.
fflecsi - The experience of Demand Responsive Transit (DRT) in Wales
Aug-2022
Two reports studying the implementation of a Demand Responsive Transit (DRT) pilot schemes in Denbigh, Pembrokeshire, Conwy Valley and Newport. Interviews were conducted with passengers, potential passengers, operators and local authorities.