What scope for boosting bus use? An analysis of the intrinsic bus potential of local authority areas in England
Oct-2019
Study into the factors driving change behind bus patronage. The policy implications drawn from the study are that cities have higher potential than towns and villages, deprivation correlates with bus use - therefore poverty reduction policies should be paired with policies that make bus use more attractive to avoid reductions in use and even the areas with highest potential are only just attaining it - likely due to decreases in funding.
The future of the bus: Policy and fiscal interventions as part of a National Bus Strategy
Sep-2019
Report detailing and advocating for policy and fiscal interventions necessary for supporting buses. Report focuses on the increasing usage across the country, clarifying the path to zero emission buses, better integration with other forms of transport and increasing the use of technology to improve services.
Our vision for smart ticketing in the city regions
Jun-2019
Report advocating, and setting out a vision for the use of smart ticketing in the city regions. Report highlights the benefits of smart ticketing, advocates for central government action to give greater powers and funding to ensure effective implementation of smart ticketing, whilst cautioning the barriers to smart ticketing.
Contactless Transit - Implementation in the UK
Jun-2019
Report concerning the implementation of EMV contactless ticketing in 2017 as part of the Contactless Transit Framework. Makes use of data from transport operators and stakeholders from relevant companies and government bodies.
The cross-sector benefits of backing the bus
Mar-2019
Report advocating for greater support for bus services, largely through the lens of support it can provide to other governmental departments. E.g. the Department for Education may benefit as more young people will be able to access education, training or other opportunities due to a decrease in barriers such as high travel costs or inconsistent services.
Reversing the decline in rural bus services 2019
Report laying out the issues with rural bus services, what has caused these issues, potential solutions to these issues. The report highlights the value and importance of rural bus services and advocates a 10 point plan for improvement.
What’s driving bus patronage change? An analysis of the evidence base
Jan-2019
Report commenting on the factors that have influeced changes in passenger volumes. The report notes key trends which seem to influence bus use, most of which are unfavourable, e.g. a shift towards the expectation of personalised, on demand goods means people prefer taxis or private hire vehicles. The report also notes factors commonly found in areas which buck the trend in bus decline, these being: good quality bus service, unattractive or difficult car travel and denser urban areas.
Moving Forward Together
Report advocating for improved bus services by encouraging government to: develop a national bus strategy, commit to further investment in urban transport, incentivise local transport authorities to set bus journey time targets, avoid making major changes to the bus service operator grants, identify and trial alternative bus solutions in rural areas, endorse bus operators as preferred delivery partners for the rollout of smart ticketing and to agree on a joint roadmap to zero emissions transport.
Three stages to better bus services using the Bus Services Act
Jul-2018
Report encouraging authorities to make use of the bus services act 2017 to enhance bus services. The three stages are: 1.) Take buses seriously - assemble stakeholders, develop plans, set targets and collect evidence on buses to develop best practice. 2.) Work out what powers are available - these include advanced quality partnerships, enhanced partnerships, multi-operator ticketing schemes and access to financial data. 3.) Decide what benefits you want to see.
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.
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.
Smart ticketing in Brighton: What do passengers think?
Oct-2016
Research into the introduction of a new smartcard system in Brighton, 2016. Focus on driver and passenger responses, to ascertain how driver and passenger experiences with the new system have impacted their satisfaction and use of Brighton bus services on the whole.
The Impact of Congestion on Bus Passengers
May-2016
Study into the impacts of trafffic congestion on bus transport. Highlights increasing bus journey times as catylysts for increasing air pollution, traffic congestion and declining city centres. Suggests setting bus speed targets, increasing management and planning in transport policy, prioritising buses on road networks, decrease dwell times at bus stops and improving advocacy for bus services and passengers.
Using smartcards on rail in the south east of England: what do passengers want?
Jan-2016
Research into how passenger opinions on smart ticketing has changed with increased use. Focused on rail commuters in south-east England, who will soon have access to smart ticketing. Intended to develop understanding of passenger demands and expectations. Utilised group discussions, face-to-face interviews and workshops.
Smart ticketing in Norfolk: what do passengers think?
Mar-2015
Research into how passenger opinions on smart ticketing has changed with increased use. Focused on rail commuters in south-east England, who will soon have access to smart ticketing. Intended to develop understanding of passenger demands and expectations. Utilised group discussions, face-to-face interviews and workshops.
Oxford SmartZone
Feb-2015
A Review of the Oxford Smartzone - an inter-operable smart-ticketing system implemented by a collaboration between Oxford's two private bus suppliers. Report notes that Oxford has unique factors which have enabled this to happen, specifically the pro-bus attitude of local authorities, the unusual equally-split bus duopoly. Nonetheless the report suggests that this collaboration indicates that inter-operable smart ticketing systems can be implemented under the deregulated model such as the UK's.