Public Transport Services Research Articles

Smart Insertion Strategies for Sustainable Operation of Shared Autonomous Vehicles

As shared autonomous vehicles (SAV) emerge as an economical and feasible mode of transportation in modern cities, effective optimization models are essential to simulate their service. Traditional optimization approaches, based on first-come-first-served principles, often result in sub-optimal outcomes and, more notably, can impact public transport (PT) operations by creating unnecessary competition. This study introduces four insertion strategies within the MATSim model of the Melbourne Metropolitan Area, addressing these challenges. Two strategies optimize SAV operations by considering overall network costs, and the other two make insertion decisions based on the available PT service in the network. The findings show that strategic insertions of the requests can significantly enhance SAV service quality by improving the vehicle load and decreasing vehicle and empty kilometers traveled per ride. The analysis indicates that these strategies are particularly effective for smaller fleet sizes, leading to an increased number of served rides and a more equitable distribution of wait times across the network, reflected in an improved Gini Index. The findings suggest that prioritization-based insertions significantly enhance service quality by prioritizing users with limited access to PT, ensuring that those with fewer PT options are served first, and encouraging a more integrated and sustainable urban transportation system.

The New Norm, a reality or a fiction? A longitudinal passenger satisfaction study on the persisting effects of COVID-19

The concept of the "new norm" implies a shift in societal behavior, and the COVID-19 pandemic is suspected to have long-term effects on customer perceptions of public transportation service factors such as crowdedness and cleanliness as mentioned in the literature. To assess the existence of a new norm in passenger behavior, a six-wave longitudinal customer satisfaction survey was conducted, comprising four waves before the pandemic and two waves after, in addition to an interview panel survey. Employing the SEM-MGA approach, we modelled the longitudinal sample, utilizing a confirmatory factor analysis framework grounded in passenger satisfaction literature specific to the Tehran metro. A MGA model was introduced, and the Importance-Performance Analysis was employed to identify alterations in the significance and execution of satisfaction factors across each survey wave and model. Three main factors of cleanliness, crowdedness, ventilation, were examined to assess the new norm. Each factor consistently emerged as a significant factor in passenger satisfaction, pre and post-COVID-19. In conclusion, our findings indicate that the COVID-19 pandemic did not have an observable long-term impact on public transportation passengers' perceptions of cleanliness and ventilation. This suggests that authorities may consider returning to pre-pandemic operational practices to conserve valuable resources. Moreover, our study underscores passengers' adaptability and the system's reversion to pre-pandemic norms in this regard.

Evaluation of Sustainable Behavior and Acceptance of Electric Public Transportation: A Perspective from the Philippines

Rapid urbanization has exerted pressure for development on public transportation infrastructure. The rise in population has driven consumers to seek efficient, cost-effective, and environmentally sustainable transportation. The objective of this study was to assess the determinants influencing consumers’ behavioral intention and acceptance of utilizing electric public transportation. The integrated UTAUT2 and sustainable theory of planned behavior underwent a higher-order construct using partial least squares structural equation modeling analysis to thoroughly evaluate key factors influencing the intention to accept electric public transportation. The study utilized a 55-item questionnaire distributed to 438 respondents. The findings indicated that the domains of UTAUT2 had the most significant effect, with hedonic motivation as the predominant variable, followed by effort expectancy and performance expectancy. This study indicated hedonic motivation as the primary factor influencing the intention to use electric public transportation, followed by effort expectancy. This study highlights the importance of ensuring user-friendly and convenient experience in the design and delivery of electric public transportation services. Substantial implications, both theoretical and practical, are also posited. Considering the impactful variables, this study deduced that the government, transportation sectors, and electric vehicle developers should place increased emphasis on enhancing customers’ intention to accept and use public transport in a sustainable manner.

Uncovering the spatiotemporal patterns of traffic-related CO2 emission and carbon neutrality based on car-hailing trajectory data

Traffic-related carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions constitute a significant portion of greenhouse gas emissions in urban areas, necessitating a comprehensive understanding of their spatiotemporal patterns and their implications for carbon neutrality. While previous studies have focused on exploring CO2 emission patterns, they often overlook the current carbon neutrality associated with these emissions. This study addresses this gap by investigating spatiotemporal patterns and carbon neutrality using car-hailing trajectory data from Xi'an, China. Initially, a link-based CO2 emission model is formulated by considering various driving conditions. Subsequently, the spatiotemporal patterns of traffic-related CO2 emissions are examined by kernel density estimation (KDE) and Getis-Ord models. Finally, carbon neutrality is assessed using the coupling coordination degree (CCD) model, which explores the relationship between traffic-related CO2 emissions and urban vegetation coverage. Empirical experiments found that hotspots of traffic-related CO2 emissions are concentrated at main roads or intersections, while coldspots are dispersed on residential roads. The findings highlight the significant influence of land use type, public services, and road levels on CO2 emission patterns, as well as the critical role of vegetation coverage in improving carbon neutrality levels. Based on these findings, several strategies are recommended to foster low-carbon city development, including expanding public transport services, integrating subway stations along main roads, optimizing traffic lights, increasing urban green spaces, and diversifying commercial facilities in traffic-related areas. These strategies emphasize the importance of incorporating carbon neutrality into urban planning and policy-making to achieve sustainable urban development.

Service failure is bound to happen: Unraveling the impact of dissatisfaction, complaint behavior and re-travel intention in travel and tourism industry

Service failure is bound to happen, but dissatisfaction has always been undermined by scholars previously. The present study investigates dissatisfaction factors in travel decision-making leading towards re-travel intention with the help of the expectancy disconfirmation theory (EDT) model. Moreover, complaint behavior mediates the relationship between dissatisfaction and re-travel intention concerning the factors involved in it. For the findings, 434 real-time responses were collected through an offline survey following the lifetime value (LTV) approach. Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin (KMO) and Bartlett's tests were conducted to test the sphericity of the variables one by one. Furthermore, structural equation modeling (SEM) was implied to test the measurement and structural models. All the hypotheses supported and accepted the proposed research questions. The findings reveal that the dissatisfaction factors, with their interaction terms (transaction-based and experience-based), help study the variable dissatisfaction and its multifaceted concept in travel and tourism literature. Moreover, complaint behavior is identified as a key mediating factor in the relationship between dissatisfaction and re-travel intention, suggesting that commuters' response to dissatisfaction, including complaints, shapes their future re-travel intentions. The theoretical implications of the study are substantial, as it advances our understanding of commuter behavior in the context of public transport travel and tourism. Practically, the findings offer actionable insights for public transport authorities and service providers. Understanding the specific dissatisfaction factors influencing re-travel intention allows for targeted interventions to improve service quality and customer experience. Recognizing the importance of effective complaint management systems can help organizations better address customer grievances and mitigate the negative effects of dissatisfaction on re-travel intention.

A mobility pilot development process experimented through a MaaS pilot in Budapest

Recently, several new concepts and innovative technologies have emerged to overcome the problems of urbanization, which can be hardly solved with using exclusively private vehicles or conventional public transport services. One of the new solutions is the Mobility-as-a-Service (MaaS) concept, a user-centric mobility distribution scheme, in which the user needs are satisfied via a single platform, and multiple transport options are offered by one MaaS operator (MO). In the last years, a couple of MaaS pilots were performed, but previous papers fail to focus on the pilot development and the proper description of the minimum viable product. A pilot of MaaS in Budapest has been developed by using the innovative Scrum methodology successfully involving six mobility service providers, such as public transport, shared mobility, and taxi, in the live demonstration. Current article provides detailed information about the pilot development including technical, legal, and business use cases for all service providers. The results of the recruitment and the characterization of the early-bird users are presented, too. The iterative pilot development process can be utilized by those MOs and governmental organizations that would like to initiate a new mobility project based on the MaaS concept.

Transit to parks initiatives in the U.S. and Canada: Practitioners’ perspectives

As large open spaces, such as national and regional parks, have become popular as recreational destinations, car dependency to access those open spaces has created capacity challenges. Due to these issues, transit-to-parks (T2P) initiatives—public transportation services connecting populated areas to large parks—have gained global traction. Limited research has examined these sustainability initiatives, and more knowledge is needed about how these initiatives are created and function. To address these gaps, this study explores motivations, facilitators, and challenges related to T2P initiatives in the U.S. and Canada. We conducted semi-structured interviews with 28 practitioners involved in the planning or operation of T2P initiatives in the two countries. Motivations for T2P included parking and congestion issues, environmental concerns, equity, and economic development. Facilitators of T2P initiatives included robust partnerships, community engagement, and advocacy efforts, emphasizing the importance of tailored narratives and coalition-building. The primary challenges mentioned were limited funding and labor, inadequate infrastructure, and siloed agencies and politics. This study reveals the complex dynamics of T2P initiatives and provides practical implications for transit agencies, public lands agencies, and community advocates seeking to enhance more sustainable and equitable access to nature.

Efficient self-organization of informal public transport networks

The Global South, encompassing more than 80% of the world population, heavily relies on informal paratransit services with ad-hoc routes. Yet, it remains unclear how efficiently such informal public transport services organize and operate. Here, we analyze and compare the structural efficiency of more than 7000 formal and informal bus service routes in 36 cities across 22 countries globally. Intriguingly, informal transport self-organizes in ways at or above efficiency levels of centralized services. They exhibit fewer detours, more uniform paths, and comparable interconnectivities, all while remaining profitable without the major subsidies common in the Global North. These insights challenge the global perception of informal transport as an inferior alternative to centrally organized services. More generally, analyzing large-scale microscopic transport data and condensing them into informative macroscopic observables may qualitatively improve system understanding and reveal specific options to create more accessible, efficient, and sustainable public transport solutions.

Synthesizing Insights: A Meta-Analysis of Global Public Transport Service Quality Research

Synthesizing Insights: A Meta-Analysis of Global Public Transport Service Quality Research

How New Digital-Based Service Offers Change Consumer Practices: A Theory of Social Practise (TSP) Approach

Abstract This study investigates the transformative impact of digital service offers on consumer practices, utilizing the Theory of Social Practice (TSP) as a theoretical framework. Focusing on the use of public transportation and short-term car rental (“carsharing”) services, it explores how digital innovations reshape consumer behaviors and interactions. Through an empirical analysis of commuter practices, the research identifies how consumers use digital service offers from providers to create and adapt new practices. Key findings include the emergence of distinctive commuting behaviors, such as the use of fully electric rental cars in bus lanes during rush hours, contrasted with the use of non-electric rental cars in regular traffic lanes during off-peak times. These observations underscore a dynamic shift from established consumer practices, revealing a process where consumers actively innovate and redefine their daily routines in response to digital service offerings. The study not only highlights the fluidity of consumer practices but also suggests a research strategy focused on understanding these emerging patterns rather than on studying predefined practice modalities.

Ownership frictions in a procurement market: Evidence from London buses

This paper investigates the efficiency impact of garage ownership frictions in the procurement of public bus transportation services in London. In this market, operators are less competitive for routes far from their garages, leading to local monopoly rents. Empty bus travel between garages and routes (dead miles) is found to account for about 13 percent of driving time in this market. Consequentially, sizeable effects of dead mile minutes on bids and procurement costs are estimated. Taking the urban context and the demand side as given, and treating this market as a typical network industry, counterfactual simulations evaluate the effect of unbundling the ownership of bus garages from the operation of the bus routes. Letting a central dispatcher allocate buses to garages would reduce total dead miles by 14 percent, with corresponding reductions of operating costs and of polluting exhaust emissions.

Agent-based decision-support model for bus route redesign in networks of small cities and towns: case study of Agder, Norway

Small cities and towns often struggle to provide high-quality public transport services to daily commuters. This is reflected in the modal split, where the share of car users dominates. Such a problem requires a modern solution, where transport planners can verify the impact of potential transport network improvements on the travel behavior of the residents before the changes are actually deployed. This study aims to demonstrate the usefulness of employing an agent-based simulation tool in the decision process for redesigning an express service regional bus route connecting a network of small cities and towns. The model was initially developed as a Mobility as a Service simulation solution for suburban areas of European metropolises. The model is adapted and applied to a case study for the region of Agder, Norway, simulating the impact of nine different scenarios on the patronage of a specific bus route. The simulation model proposes to upgrade the classic agent structure to a persona profile designed specifically for the case study. The main objective of this research is to identify the scenario that maximizes patronage while minimizing total route travel time and additional costs. The results suggest that the proposed model can be successfully adapted from suburban metropolitan areas to the realities of the considered case study, and potentially other similar regions. Specifically, out of the nine proposed scenarios, the model identified four promising ones. One of the four scenarios also fits the cost constraints imposed by the transport provider. The model provides a solid approach for analyzing complex transport systems that are practically impossible to consider in detail if the analysis is done without computer support. Thus, the results can be used as a decision support system for public transport planning and operations in networks of small cities and towns.

Examining the impact of station location on dockless bikesharing-metro integration: Evidence from Beijing

To address the unbalanced distribution of dockless bike sharing around metro stations, existing studies usually examine local-scale characteristics while neglecting the correlation between station location and travel demand which exert a more substantial influence on travel behavior. This study bridges this gap by conducting a comprehensively analysis of the impacts and underlying mechanism of station location on DBS-metro integrated demand. The results uncover a notable negative correlation between station location − measured by both proximity to the city center and distance from subcenters and DBS-metro integration demand. Moreover, job-housing imbalance and public transport allocation around metro stations, inherently influenced by station location, further shape DBS-metro integration demand. Notably, our results show significantly higher demand during the morning peak compared to the evening and at metro stations with medium-level ridership, highlighting the heterogeneous patterns. In addition, subcenters compensate to some extent for the decline in transport resources caused by distance from the city center. These insights bear critical implications for policy formulation concerning on-demand public transport services and the exploration of transport equity, facilitating a more informed approach towards rectifying transportation disparities.

Kebijakan Trans Metro Deli sebagai Upaya Meningkatkan Layanan Transportasi Umum di Kota Medan

The Trans Metro Deli policy in Medan City is an effort to improve public transportation services. First, this policy provides an integrated and efficient mass transportation system through a special bus network with routes that cross strategic points in the city of Medan. Second, the adoption of information technology in the operational management of Trans Metro Deli allows users to obtain the latest information regarding bus schedules, routes and conditions in real-time, increasing reliability and user comfort. Apart from that, implementing affordable fares is also an important point in this policy, expanding transportation accessibility for people from various economic layers. Third, the Trans Metro Deli policy also prioritizes safety and security aspects in the use of public transportation by establishing operational standards and strict supervision of the bus fleet and personnel. This has a positive impact on public perception and trust in the service. Furthermore, efforts to improve infrastructure including the development of special bus stops and lanes are also an important part of this policy, ensuring accessibility and efficiency in daily operations. In conclusion, the Trans Metro Deli policy in Medan City is a significant step in improving public transportation services by integrating various aspects such as operational efficiency, use of technology, safety, comfort and accessibility. In this way, it is hoped that it can have a broad positive impact on the mobility and quality of life of city residents.

Public transport reliability in growing cities: the case of Asokore Mampong, Ghana

ABSTRACT The reliability of public transport systems is often reported in transportation literature as an essential factor in assessing the quality of urban transport services. Studies have largely examined the effects of transport reliability from the perspective of both customers and operators. Policies and interventions have been largely based on the experiences in developed countries, with a dearth of studies within the global south, particularly Africa, with rapidly urbanizing cities and where the transport sector is largely informal with several reliability challenges. This paper thus examines the reliability of public transport services in Ghanaian cities, using Asokore Mampong Municipality as a case study. Using a sample of 250 passengers interviewed at various bus terminals in the Municipality, the paper establishes five factors – the number of stops to pick up and drop off passengers, overaged and rickety vehicles, congestion on the roads, frequent breakdown of vehicles, and the number of vehicles available as affecting the reliability of public transportation in the study area. The paper establishes that public transportation in the study area is unreliable regarding waiting and boarding times of operating vehicles and recommends an effective regulation of public transport operators by the Asokore Mampong Municipal Assembly to improve reliability.

Crowd-Starting a Shared (Shuttle) Service With Customer Suggestions

Digital platforms have improved the efficiency and quality of smart city operations by soliciting more customer inputs, for example, in the form of suggestions. One innovative option in urban transportation is the shared shuttle service, which lies between traditional public transportation and ride-hailing services. Platforms that offer these services can gather customer suggestions in a “crowd-starting” manner, which provides valuable insights into customer needs. However, this also presents a challenge in balancing service coverage and quality to meet customer needs implied by their suggestions. To address this issue, we introduce an optimization framework designed to maximize expected profit by leveraging customer response models which characterize how customers will respond to different service attributes and how their suggestions inform these responses. When estimating these response models, we present methods involving isotonic penalty and shrinkage tailored for handling small datasets. To demonstrate the practical implications, we apply our model to a shared shuttle service case study and discuss practical considerations, such as the value of information, the effectiveness of our estimation approaches, and the benefits of involving customers in the service design process.

Optimal bus service frequency setting and limited-stop operation with varying vehicle capacity limit

With the advancement of Vehicle to Infrastructure (V2I) technology, it becomes feasible to perceive the diverse needs of various passengers with sensory equipment, offering potential for further enhancing the quality of bus services. Vehicle capacity limit is a pivotal factor for both bus operators and passengers, wherein higher capacities are associated with increased profitability but potentially compromise passenger comfort. The significance of establishing optimal vehicle capacity limits cannot be overstated. Nevertheless, existing researches usually use a fixed vehicle capacity, neglecting the varied needs of passengers at different stations. Notably, the strong demand of elderly and long-distance travelling passengers for seating are frequently ignored. This study introduces a novel framework for determining flexible vehicle capacity limits, which considers the percentage of elderly and long-distance passengers, as informed by station-specific sensor data and historical origin-destination data. Furthermore, it optimizes bus service frequencies to minimize operational costs while enhancing the level of service offered by buses. The quality of public transportation services is improved, addressing the diverse demands of passengers.

What makes consumers attitudinal loyalty on ride-hailing services? An investigation Indonesian consumers' perceived safety in using ride-hailing apps

Ride-hailing services are a component of the transportation system in many developing countries due to limitations in public transportation services. However, incidents still often occur that are detrimental to passenger safety. Therefore, this research aims to analyze the impact of service quality and perceived safety on passenger satisfaction and attitudinal loyalty in ride-hailing services. This research is quantitative with a data collection method using a questionnaire distributed online to 499 service users in nine major cities in Indonesia using a purposive sampling technique. Survey data were analyzed using the partial least squares-structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) method. This research proves that ride-hailing service quality positively affects passengers' perceived safety, satisfaction, and attitudinal loyalty. Perceived safety positively affects the satisfaction and attitudinal loyalty of passengers. Finally, satisfaction has a positive effect on passenger attitudinal loyalty. This research contributes that fostering a sense of security is crucial for the ride-hailing industry because it can determine satisfaction and loyalty in ride-hailing services.

Prevalence of malaria and infant mortality in Kogi State, Nigeria

This study adopts a descriptive survey research design with a quantitative approach to examine the impact of malaria prevalence on infant mortality in selected local government areas across all three senatorial districts of Kogi State, Nigeria. The study covers Lokoja and Ajaokuta LGAs from the Central district, Omala, Igalamela-Odolu, Ibaji, and Bassa LGAs from the East district, and Kabba/Bunu LGA from the West district. These local government areas were selected based on their proneness to flooding and the presence of rivers nearby. Utilising a randomly selected population, data was collected through structured questionnaires and analysed using Binary Logistic Regression. While the results indicate a positive relationship between malaria prevalence and infant mortality, the statistical significance is not established. The study underscores the financial and economic burden associated with malaria treatment, transportation, and prevention, suggesting the need for a comprehensive approach to public health challenges. Policy recommendations include improving healthcare accessibility, promoting awareness campaigns, implementing targeted subsidies for antimalarial medications, and enhancing public transportation services to facilitate easier access to medical facilities.

Transaction Analysis for Operational Optimization in Transjakarta Public Transportation System

This study presents a comprehensive exploratory data analysis (EDA) of transaction data within the Transjakarta public transportation system, focusing on routes, passenger flow, and congestion patterns. Leveraging tap-in and tap-out transaction records collected through payment cards, the research aims to provide actionable insights for optimizing operational efficiency and enhancing service quality. By analyzing transaction data, the study identifies busy routes, peak hours, and passenger distribution across different modes of transportation, including big bus (BRT), medium and big bus (non-BRT), and mini-bus (Mikrotrans). Moreover, the research investigates correlations between transaction volume and traffic congestion levels, enabling the identification of areas prone to delays and bottlenecks. The findings of this analysis offer valuable information for route planning, scheduling adjustments, and infrastructure improvements within the Transjakarta system. By optimizing resources based on data-driven insights, the study seeks to contribute to the enhancement of public transportation services, promoting accessibility, reliability, and sustainability in urban mobility.