Bus Rapid Transit Service Research Articles

Effectiveness of Trans Jateng Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) services for customers with disabilities in Surakarta city

BRT Trans Jateng is a government mode of transportation that cannot be separated from the principle of good and quality public services for customers with disabilities. The aim of this research is to measure the effectiveness of Trans Jateng BRT services for customers with disabilities, especially in the city of Surakarta. The design of this research is to use the Fuzzy SERVQUAL method to measure the level of satisfaction of disabled customers with BRT Trans Jateng services. The sampling technique used was purposive sampling using 30 samples of disabled customers in the city of Surakarta. Here it can be seen that all of the five dimensions measured require improvement. Improvements are carried out based on the priority of the largest gap value. From the results of data processing, the first rank is the tangible dimension with a gap value of -2.0167, then the second rank is the empathy dimension with a gap value of -1.9583, the third rank is the responsiveness dimension with a gap value of -1.95, in the fourth rank is the assurance dimension with a gap value of -1.92, and the fifth rank of the reliability dimension with a gap value of -1.89

Evaluating the level of access and equity of the bus rapid transit (BRT) system: The case of Dar-Es-Salaam, Tanzania

Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) systems have witnessed significant growth worldwide, particularly in rapidly urbanizing cities in the developing world, often implemented through public-private partnerships to foster economic growth. However, the success of such ambitions relies on ensuring equitable transit access for all residents, including those living with poverty or other social disadvantages. The purpose of this study is to explore transit access, coverage, and equity of the BRT system in Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania using infrastructure-based measures of proximity to transit stations and stops. In particular, the equitable distribution of transit access patterns is explored in relation to neighborhood socio-economic strata in the catchment areas within a 30-min walking distance. The study's findings reveal notable disparities in the level of access among various socio-economic strata, with the least deprived population benefiting the most from the Dar-es-Salaam BRT system. As more BRT phases are implemented, there is a continuous increase in the Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) within the areas not covered by the BRT system. This suggests that access improvements predominantly favor the wealthier population rather than effectively addressing the needs of the impoverished population. To enhance access and achieve more equitable outcomes, it is crucial to implement targeted strategies and measures. These may include improved integration of the BRT with a feeder system, continuous improvement of Non-Motorized Transport (NMT) facilities, and the promotion of equitable transit-oriented development along the BRT corridor. These initiatives play a vital role in ensuring that vulnerable populations, especially the poor, have access to and can benefit from the BRT services.

A multi-criteria decision-making framework for sustainable road transport systems: Integrating stakeholder-cost-environment-energy for a highway case study in United Arab Emirates

Existing lifecycle assessment models narrowly concentrate on limited parameters, disregarding system ecology and multi-stage stakeholder integration with sequestered analyses. Assimilation of new transport technologies with traditional design-bid-build decision-making paradigm should acknowledge sustainability triple-bottom-line social, cost, and environmental impacts, across all lifecycle stages for a system-wide optimisation. This study presents a multilevel framework to evaluate road transport system projects utilising 1) stakeholder engagement for flexibility in establishing key performance indicators, 2) passenger surveys to identify what encourages mode choice towards public transport, 3) microsimulation models, lifecycle cost and lifecycle analysis for quantitative assessment, 4) analytic hierarchy for qualitative assessment, and finally 5) multi-criteria modelling with stakeholder expert group preferences. Framework is applied to a 5-lane dual carriageway project in Abu Dhabi, analysing eight virgin and recycled material-based and public transport service alternatives. Study revealed the significance of saved user time, reduced fuel consumption during use phase and vehicle operational costs as the highest lifecycle impact generators. The total sustainability performance across the lifecycle for all alternatives was affected by traffic gridlock formation due to traffic growth in later years and lack of traffic load reduction strategies. Results showed that an autonomous vehicle-based bus rapid transit service coupled with recycled material to construct the road significantly reduced lifecycle cost (51.1%), energy (55.6%) and pollutant (54.5%-CO2, 49.7%-NOx, 24.1%-PM) burdens. It exhibited effectiveness of system choice using lifecycle assessment over the typically fragmented project planning and evaluation approach. Overall, framework exhibited robustness against unit cost and LCI uncertainties, fuel distribution assumptions, discount rate, and indicator weights variations based on priorities of different stakeholder groups.

Pemetaan Ilmiah Topik Penelitian Perluasan Layanan Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Trans Jateng

Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) is one of the types of bus-based public transportation that provides fast, convenient, and affordable urban transportation. The BRT service in Central Java is called Trans Jateng and is managed by the Transportation Agency of Central Java Province. The operational concept of Trans Jateng is to serve routes that connect urban agglomeration areas in the province of Central Java. Trans Jateng plans to develop future services grouped into service corridors based on the existing development areas in Central Java, including the Kedungsepur, Wanarakuti, Banglor, Bregasmalang, Petanglong, Subosukowonosraten, Barlingmascakeb, and Purwomanggung agglomerations. In addition to opening new corridors, the development of Trans Jateng BRT services can also be carried out by expanding existing services; therefore, a comprehensive study is essential to monitor and track the progress of the research. This paper will map the literature on service expansion, BRT, and Trans Jateng. The literature database was taken from Google Scholar and analyzed using the VOSviewer tool with a mapping of previous research. The results of this research are highly useful for understanding the current development of research on the expansion of Trans Jateng BRT services in the future.

Travel Satisfaction of Bus Rapid Transit Users in A Developing Country: The Case of Bhopal City, India

India's burgeoning population has led to an increased demand for transportation services, particularly in urban areas. To address the growing mobility needs and mitigate the adverse effects of personal vehicle usage, efficient public transit services are imperative. Several Indian cities have implemented bus rapid transit (BRT) systems to address this problem, but ridership for the majority of the BRT systems remains below breakeven (this refers to the point at which the revenue generated from ridership equals or surpasses the costs associated with operating and maintaining the transportation system). Thus, it is necessary to assess the determinants of commuter satisfaction with BRT. The present study aims to examine factors affecting travel satisfaction among BRT commuters. By using structural equation modeling (SEM), the effect of demographic (age and gender) and travel-related variables (fare price, travel time, trip frequency, reliability, ease of using bus service, and comfort level) on BRT commuters' satisfaction and usage of BRT services were analyzed. It was found that while ease of using the service, comfort level, and reliability positively affect BRT travel satisfaction, trip frequency is significantly affected by the ease of using the service only. Furthermore, demographic variables (age, and gender of respondents) were not found to have significant effect of travel satisfaction and trip frequency. The findings from this can study serve as a base for policymakers, city officials, and urban planners to identify commuters' priorities for a well-functioning BRT in India and formulate policies to attract riders by enhancing their preferences.

КЛАСТЕРНАЯ ОЦЕНКА КАЧЕСТВА ТРАНСПОРТНОГО ОБСЛУЖИВАНИЯ

This article presents methods and criteria for assessing the quality of transport service. Due to the new mobility requirements, the choice of forms and methods of transport service organization is a key factor in improving the quality of urban bus rapid transit services. This paper describes the application of cluster evaluation methods to accurately and objectively reflect the quality of service in Bus Rapid Transit (BRT). By evaluating the collected passenger data and service information using clustering, it is possible to identify problems and improve the efficiency of BRT operation.

Developing an agent-based microsimulation for predicting the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) demand in developing countries: A case study of Dhaka, Bangladesh

Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) has been widely recognised as an affordable and effective mass transport system that can solve various mobility issues in countries that are unable to afford rail-based mass transit options. However, it is extremely challenging to predict the demand for the first BRT service in a city of a developing country with a weak public transport system using aggregate models, given the radical difference in the level of service between the BRT and the existing modes. Further, there can be substantial changes in the activity and travel patterns in a city after the introduction of the BRT which simpler disaggregate level analysis tools are unable to predict. Agent-based simulation tools, which are the state-of-the-art tools for simulating complex travel behaviour, are hence more appropriate for predicting the network conditions after the introduction of a new BRT system. But the application of such simulation tools has been primarily limited to developed countries where the transport landscape and the travel behaviour are very different from the developing countries. To address this gap, this paper presents a demand forecasting model for BRT and integrates it into an activity-based micro-simulation tool in the context of Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh and one of the fastest growing megacities in the world. The model was developed based on an existing multi-agent, activity-based, travel demand simulator (MATSim). The MATSim implementation in the context of Dhaka focused on two aspects: (1) implementing behaviour models in MATSim to reflect the mode choice in the presence of the proposed BRT (2) integrating multiple data sources (including stated-preference data) for calibrating the mode choice and other components of MATSim to realistically mimic the travel behaviour in the city. Once calibrated, different access scenarios for BRT were simulated using MATSim, and the sensitivity of the outputs to different modelling assumptions is tested. Results from the simulation showed that the marginal utility of travel time, travel cost, and pricing structure of BRT significantly influenced BRT travel demands. Also, BRT demand was found to be the highest (25% of the total trips) in the scenario with multi-modal access/egress connections. While such direct model outputs presented in this paper will be useful for the planners to maximise the ridership of the proposed BRT, the calibrated simulator will be also useful for the evaluation of other innovative transport modes in the context of Dhaka in the future.

Customers' Satisfaction and Intentions with Public Transportation in Faisalabad, Pakistan: Implications for a Bus Rapid Transit Service

Customers' Satisfaction and Intentions with Public Transportation in Faisalabad, Pakistan: Implications for a Bus Rapid Transit Service

User Preference Analysis for an Integrated System of Bus Rapid Transit and On-Demand Shared Mobility Services in Amman, Jordan

Amman, the capital of Jordan, has experienced significant traffic congestion due to the rise in private vehicle ownership and limited public transportation services. A Stated Preference (SP) survey was conducted to determine public transportation users’ willingness to use the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) service. Another survey assessed the demand for an on-demand transit bus service with flexible and moderate costs, particularly for individuals far from the main BRT stations who need to reach them. Two models, Multinomial Logit (MNL) and Mixed Logit (ML), were utilized to understand user preferences for work-related trips. The study findings indicate that the cost of the trip and the waiting time are the two primary factors influencing public transport users’ choices. Furthermore, sociodemographic factors, such as age, income, household size, and current status, were found to have a significant impact. The results reveal that approximately 71% of participants would utilize an integrated public transportation system comprising BRT and on-demand services. The findings underscore the potential benefits of an integrated public transport system in addressing Amman’s traffic congestion. By combining BRT and on-demand services, the city can offer residents comfortable, affordable, and efficient transportation options, thus effectively mitigating congestion.

Kualitas Pelayanan Bus Rapid Transit Trans Semarang

Writing articles in this journal aims to describe the service quality of the Trans Semarang Bus Rapid Transit and its sub parameters which include descriptions tangibles, reliability, responsiveness, assurance, dan empaty. The writing method uses a qualitative descriptive approach. The data source is the primary source of Trans Semarang Bus Rapid Transit passengers and the secondary data source is documents at the Trans Semarang Bus Rapid Transit company. Collecting data by observation and interviews with a questionnaire as an instrument. The discussion on the level of service quality of the Trans Semarang Bus Rapid Transit uses an analysis of the average percentage value through the sum of the scores achieved divided by the expected score multiplied by 100 %. Determining whether the quality of Trans Semarang Bus Rapid Transit service is good or not by determining very good 0.00-24.99%, good 25-49.99%, not good 50-74.99% and bad 75-100%. The findings of the discussion of the results of the analysis are that the level of service quality for the Trans Semarang Bus Rapid Transit is very good and also for several sub-parameters tangibles, reliability, responsiveness, assurance, and empaty are all very good level. However, there are several dimensions of the five service quality parameters in the unfavorable category. The conclusion from the findings of the discussion of the analysis of the service quality of the Trans Semarang Bus Rapid Transit is very good in its management so that it can realize the satisfaction of the people of Semarang City and its surroundings.

Potential Development of Trans Central Java Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Corridor 1 Towards Sustainable Mobility

The Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) in the Banyumas area, Central Java, aims to provide inter-regional connectivity in Purwokerto City and Purbalingga Regency. This is one of the six BRT corridors in Central Java launched in 2018. Therefore, this study aims to examine the development of BRT corridors based on transit-integrated land use along the corridor, after five years of operation. The primary survey was conducted on land use along the corridor at a radius of 200 m and 400 m from the BRT bus stop, which was analyzed using a qualitative descriptive method. As a result, BRT Corridor 1 in Central Java can be identified for bus-based transit development. First, BRT services have connected high to very high populations. Second, BRT shelters have good access to shopping centers, culinary centers, and artificial tourism within a 200 m and 400 m radius. Third, BRT shelters are also connected to other modes of public transportation. However, the results of our study found that the BRT shelters had not been connected to pedestrian facilities. Based on these three criteria, BRT Corridor 1 in Central Java is feasible to be developed as a sustainable public transport service. However, further studies are needed to link BRT shelters with pedestrian facilities, in order to create clean and sustainable mobility.

PASSENGERS’ PERCEPTIONS OF THE SERVICE QUALITY AND OPERATION OF A BUS RAPID TRANSIT SYSTEM (TRANS SEMARANG) IN SEMARANG, INDONESIA

The increasing population in urban areas has expanded the role of the transportation system to meet people’s mobility needs in developing countries. Since the demand for transportation services is proliferating, bus rapid transit (BRT) offers the opportunity to create a high-quality mass transit system in developing countries. The presence of BRT Trans Semarang, however, has not yet become a solution to city traffic problems since the transit system and its operation are not yet implemented. This study aims to explore the service quality and operation of BRT based on observations and passengers’ viewpoints at the BRT shelter, which is located in the central business district. The method of the research is a statistical descriptive and qualitative analysis using variables from passengers’ perspectives and observations on bus operation. The result shows that the capacity of the transit shelter, the interval between bus arrivals, bus dwell times, and BRT infrastructures (door size) are the most influential variables on passengers’ satisfaction. Furthermore, from the operation point of view, users’ trip destinations and maximum delay times are considered important for the improvement of BRT service.

Asserting the Female Mobility Pattern as Smart Mobility Indicator: Lesson Learned From Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Passengers in Indonesia

Female passengers dominate the mobility by employing Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) in Indonesia and they possess a unique travel pattern compared to men. Women require more genuine investment efforts in comfortable and safer infrastructure for accessing and utilizing public transportation. The implementation of a smart city is one of the infrastructure investments. Smart mobility is one of the service cluster divisions, and smart mobility indicators are taken into account in the implementation. The objective of this study is to convert female mobility patterns and attitudes toward BRT service into smart mobility indicators. The method used is quantitative, and the questionnaire is designed to poll 209 people. Chi-Square and Likert scale are employed to analyze those criteria. The results demonstrate that the BRT has provided the female passenger services that they require at the current service level. The passenger pattern demonstrates that women depend on the BRT service to meet their transportation needs. Furthermore, the ICT criteria as a core for smart mobility has been challenging for both parties (female passengers and BRT operator). The limitation of this study is that it cannot demonstrate empirically that smart mobility is free gender biased and gaps until public transportation is fully inclusive.

BRT network design for transit cost reduction in Cape Town, South Africa

Car dependency in Cape Town, South Africa, like in many modern cities is high but comes at a high cost. One of these is significant network congestion, especially during peak commuting periods. A strategy adopted by the City’s transport development authority to alleviate this situation is the phased development of an integrated public transport network. A bus rapid transit service known as the MyCiTi BRT is proposed to be the backbone of the integrated network. However, an investigation of the existing service reveals a pattern of low ridership and high operating costs which is not economically sustainability. The main objective of this work is therefore to propose solutions to improve the existing service particularly in terms of increasing ridership and reducing operational cost. To achieve this, a network design approach known as simulation-based optimisation that combines simulation with optimisation algorithms is proposed. The results are compared with the baseline MyCiTi network. The outcome shows that the proposed methods are capable of improving the MyCiTi network and thereby its service.

Frequency of the Low Back Pain in Security Guards of Bus Rapid Transit System Peshawar

Occupations that needs standing for longer interval are often associated with an increased risk of low back pain. A security guard's duty is one of the jobs that may be associated with a high association of low back pain. An observational study was carried out to determine the frequency of low back pain in security guards of bus rapid transit (BRT) service in Peshawar. The duration of the research study was six months, and the data was collected using Oswestry low back pain disability questionnaire. The sample size calculated for the research study was 292. A convenience sampling technique was used in this study. The results showed a very high frequency and severity of low back pain amongst security guards of BRT service Peshawar. It was also observed that most of the security guards had to stand for prolonged durations as part of their job requirements.

Challenges for Older Tourists on Public Transportation in Mexico City

This exploratory paper attempts to understand some challenges for older tourists regarding the physical accessibility of public transport. It focuses on Mexico City and its global competitiveness as an accessible tourism destination. A review of recent literature and internet sources contributed to raising potential challenges involved to offer an accessible public transport service in Mexico City. Sources reviewed suggest that two modes of transportation -the subway and the bus rapid transit service- were well-equipped with accessible elements, particularly for users with mobility limitations. Yet, important challenges not strictly related to the supply of accessible infrastructure and services were found, such as a high level of insecurity, harassment, and discrimination. The model of public transport management in Mexico City seems to focus on affordable mass transportation, based on the utilitarian aspect of public transportation exclusively. The degree of satisfaction of users, including tourists, is overlooked. Appropriate development of accessible urban tourism, including the supply of public transport, would benefit Mexico City to pursue its competitiveness as an accessible tourism destination for older tourists.

Land use impacts of implementing a bus rapid transit system: case of Beirut southern corridor

This study investigates and forecasts the effects of implementing a newly proposed Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system in Lebanon on the urban land use evolution between the years 2019 and 2049. It contributes to the emerging scientific literature by proposing a technique intended to identify the potential urban land use impacts of BRT. The identification of these impacts as part of the feasibility study for the BRT is considered important for policymakers, local officials, and urban planners. The impacts are identified by conducting the Analytical Hierarchy Process, based on data collected via survey and interviews with real estate experts. The outcomes show that implementing a BRT service complemented with bus feeder services will: (i) reshape the urban fabric, in proximity to BRT routes and particularly around the stations, by triggering the Transit-Oriented Development and increasing the attractivity of urban development by 6 to 9% according to the distance from BRT route; and (ii) increase the attractivity of urban development projects by 11% in areas distant from the highway if these areas are characterized by high coverage of bus feeder services, low possibility of an increase in estate prices, and medium to high public acceptance of the proposed BRT.

The Importance Customers Place on Specific Service Elements of Bus Rapid Transit

Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) is a rapidly growing national trend in the provision of public transportation. At present, with more than 150 New Start Rail Projects currently in the FTA pipeline, a wide range of alternatives is necessary to fulfill the demand for cost-effective rapid public transportation. As a lower cost, high-capacity mode of public transportation, BRT can serve as an option to help address the growing traffic congestion and mobility problems in both urban and nonurban areas. Careful documentation and analyses of BRT systems and the unique features of these projects will help determine the most effective features offered by the BRT systems such the most successful service characteristics, level of transit demand, region size, and other amenities. This article presents a statistical analysis of the data from two on-board customer surveys conducted in 2001 of the BRT systems in Miami and Orlando, Florida. Using data from the two on-board surveys, the simplest method for measuring the importance that customers place on specific BRT service characteristics is to calculate mean scores for each characteristic using some type of numeric scale (e.g., a scale of 1 through 5, with 5 being the highest). While there are no real discernable drawbacks to this simple method, an alternate technique to measure the importance of each service attribute is to derive the importance of each attribute using STEPWISE regression. This statistical method estimates the importance of each attribute to overall customer satisfaction. The results indicate that customers place a high value on the BRT service characteristics frequency of service, comfort, travel time, and reliability of service.

Innovative Public-Private Partnership Models for Road Pricing/BRT Initiatives

This article presents alternative concepts for serving commuter travel demand in major metropolitan areas with a system of priced expressways integrated with Bus Rapid Transit (BRT), and presents potential new models for setting up public-private partnerships (PPP) to finance, implement, and operate the system. These new models may make possible the self-financing of new BRT services and facilitate efficient provision of multimodal transportation services. The PPP model for expressway operation uses shadow tolls to compensate private partners, while at the same time charging motorists market-based tolls to ensure free-flowing traffic conditions and to provide a fast, reliable running way for BRT. Revenues from tolls charged to users may be used to pay contractual obligations to private partners for highway operations, toll collection, and BRT services. To encourage efficient and effective provision of transit, high-occupancy vehicle (HOV, and park-and-ride/pool services, private partners may be compensated for provision of transit services and HOV promotion using shadow fee payments based on the number of commuters served.

Bus Transit Oriented Development—Strengths and Challenges Relative to Rail

While rail has been the focus of most planning for Transit Oriented Development (TOD), there has been recent interest in bus-related TOD with an emphasis on new bus rapid transit (BRT) systems in North and South America and Australia. This article takes a critical look at the strengths and challenges of bus-based transit systems compared to rail in relation to TOD. It includes a review of the literature and an assessment of TOD-related developments. The performance of BRT systems in relation to TOD is considered with specific reference to BRT systems in Australia. In addition, TOD related to local suburban bus service is examined. The article describes the general concept of TOD and how this relates to features of transit modes, outlines the literature relevant to bus-based TOD, and identifies the strengths and challenges of bus-based transit systems in relation to TOD. It concludes by summarizing the relative strengths and challenges of BRT and local bus services compared to rail. The findings of the review are used to identify ways in which bus-based TOD might be better planned and implemented.