How operators can improve their bus services
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• A list of the ways a bus operator can improve his services are included in a report published this week by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development on "Optimization of bus operation in urban areas".
The list begins with the economics of the service. Improvements can be made here, says the report, by the introduction of one-man operation, the reduction of staff turnover because of job dissatisfaction, improved fare collection methods and the use of computer techniques for service and crew scheduling.
Existing systems should be regularly analysed to ensure their continuing suitability. Route layout and service frequency should be checked to ensure they correspond with passenger demand. Optimum bus size should be determined and a small number of designs should be used as a standard. It is important to provide as high a level of convenience and comfort as economically possible, in buses, during transfers and while waiting. Clear, simple and understandable information should be provided, says the report. Various bus control methods should be assessed to ensure regularity of service.
The report stresses the need to consider "improvements" in the context of overall benefit to the community and other road users. "Radical improvements in bus operation in existing cities can only be brought about by close liaison and co-operation between the local authority and the operator", it is stated. Improvements that are possible in urban planning and traffic management are listed. These include: improvements in the layout of bus stops and terminals; prohibition of kerb parking; construction of separate bus bridges or tunnels; construction of separate bus lanes and busways; and special traffic markings to give buses priority.
The report concludes by listing seven research projects which are recommend for action. These are: new bus systems a technology (compilation of dossier wl details of all new buses and systems); b location systems (information on value radio links with buses); bus priori measures (production of catalogue relevant measures and their usefulnes passenger information (optimum methods producing easily understood literatur passenger-handling systems on one-m. buses (to provide information on ric systems which may help to reduce loadii and unloading times); exclusive roads f buses (to find value of segregated buswayi relationships between level of fares and b patronage (to determine extent of such relationship under various fare structuri The report was produced by a workit party of OECD member countries. TI British representative was Dr F. V. Webst of the traffic planning section. Transpo and Road Research Laboratory.