Bus Line Shift Behaviour: Evidence of Influential Factors based on Smart Card Data

Document Type

Journal Article

Publication Date

2024

Subject Area

mode - bus, place - south america, place - urban, operations - frequency, economics - operating costs, ridership - behaviour, technology - passenger information, technology - ticketing systems

Keywords

Bus line shift, Behaviour, Public transport, Smart card

Abstract

This paper aims to analyse the factors that influence the behaviour in relation to bus line shift with the support of large-scale smart card datasets, focussing on a case study of the public transport network in Belo Horizonte, Brazil. We developed a binary discrete choice model to assess the factors affecting the changes of the bus line, including the time of day, peak periods, day of the week, number of trips taken by users, type of user, and destination of the trip. We address some research gaps identified in the recent literature by examining factors that influence user behaviour in addition to uncovering urban mobility patterns. The results of a Logit choice model are discussed considering the attributes of the service and of the journey to support evidence-based policy making for adapting bus service design, drawing insights from extensive smart card dataset analysis. Our findings indicate that users are generally inclined to bus line shifts than using the same lines, with such changes occurring more frequently during late hours and inter-peak periods compared to the morning and afternoon peak hours. Additionally, regular users are more likely to change lines than occasional users, and trips with discounts and smart card usage for transfers on trips home tend to involve different lines. Several policy measures can be considered to mitigate passenger discomfort associated with changing bus lines and to reduce operational costs arising from multiple lines serving the same locations. These include investing in promotional efforts to enhance the image of specific bus lines, prioritising certain lines during the day to minimise travel times and retain passengers on the same bus, adjusting line frequencies to reduce the need for transfers, and offering additional incentives to frequent users. Implementing discounts in corridors with shorter travel times can also encourage passengers to remain on the same buses.

Rights

Permission to publish the abstract has been given by Elsevier, copyright remains with them.

Comments

Research in Transportation Business & Management Home Page:

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/22105395

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