Bus Transport

BUS TRANSPORT
Bus Transport Characteristics
• Bus transport systems refer to bus systems that serve populated areas on fixed routes and
schedules, available to all interested users and charging a published set of fares. When the bus
services cater to the needs of urban areas on a regular basis, they are referred as bus transit.
• They are relatively easy to plan and implement and are amenable to operation by the private
sector.
• They also play a major role in facilitating access to and integration with high volume
transportation modes such as suburban trains and rapid rail transit.
• Bus system capacities depend on the type of bus, the seating configuration, the type of
operation and the road facility. Bus system capacity in terms of passenger per lane per hour
would normally range between 8000 per conventional bus in city traffic to close 20,000 for
articulated bus in exclusive bus way
Advantages of Bus Transport
1. Buses can operate over the existing road system. Hence bus system can be implemented and
expanded in a relatively short period of time.
2. The bus routes can be modified easily, facilitating a wider reach for the user.
3. The schedule can be varied easily to suit the demand
4. Buses can be used for charter and other services when not needed in the scheduled service.
5. A relatively small number of passengers would suffice to justify dispatching a bus. Hence
buses can serve more diverse, low density travel patterns than fixed ways system.
6. The undepreciated investment at anytime is salvageable to a large extent if the service needs to
be terminated.
Types of Bus Services
Depending on route coverage, bus services may be of the following types:

a. City Service b. Intercity services c. Rural Services d. Minibus operations.
•City Bus service can be broadly classified into two categories: local bus service and express bus
service.
•Express Bus Service can be further subdivided into three categories: limited stop service,
point‐to point service and bus rapid transit.
Role of Agencies in Bus transportation
Four agencies involved in bus transport operation are: a) The passengers b) the operators c) the
society d) the government
• The operator for the urban bus transit is generally the state transport undertaking, responsible
for transit operation for the concerned city
• The operator receives input in the form of fare, revenue and delivers the transport service to the
passengers and indirectly contributes to the welfare of the community and to the objectives of the
Government
• The society supplies land, energy and resources to the operator, and gets back economic and
receive taxes and social and political effects from the operator, while supporting the transport
operation through regulations, subsidies and provision of the roadway on which buses operate.
• Thus overall transportation function is performed in a closed System
Types of Bus
The Types of Buses used in urban transportation are:
A .Conventional bus
b. Articulated bus
c. Minibus
d. Double deck bus
Bus Stop
• The effectiveness of a bus system is greatly influenced by bus stop spacing, location and
design. Considering time and limited mobility and limited mobility of small children, the elderly
and the infirm, bus stops are to be available at short distances, preferably within five minutes
walk.
• Spacing of bus stops ranges from 400 m to 800 m for local bus route, 800 m to 1.5 km for a
limited stop bus and 1.5 km to 3.0 km for an urban express bus route.
• The bus stop spacing may be arranged in such a manner that the sum of the access time and the
in‐bus travel time is minimized. Preferably, the bus stop should be located should be
Types of Bus Stop
The Bus stop may be one of three types:

• Curb‐side stop
• Stop at a lay‐by
• Bus cape
A bus stop by the kerb
Is the usual type of bus stop, and this makes it possible for traffic to pass the bus while it is at the
bus stop. The design is simple and it is easy to fit in to any street. However, problems sometimes
are that some parking spaces by the kerb have to be removed in order for the bus to access the
stop, and also this kind of stop does not give buses any priority. Buses can also sometimes have
problems entering the bus stop if cars have been parked too close to the bus stop. Also, each
location needs special attention in terms of traffic safety (e.g. to avoid overtaking by cars where
this can endanger alighting passengers).
Lay-by bus stops

Are often provided, to enable buses to stop outwith the traffic stream and to eliminate the
obstruction of other traffic by stationary buses. However, on busy roads, particularly where
traffic is moving constantly, it is often difficult for buses to then re‐enter the traffic stream.
Because of this there is a common tendency for drivers not to pull fully into the lay‐by. This can
cause inconvenience to passengers, particularly during heavy rain when kerbside gutters may be
running with water. It can also cause problems for elderly and disabled passengers.
A bus cape
• is built in order to help the bus to access the bus stop (also called bus boarders or 'bus
bulbs'). Bus capes give priority to buses, because buses do not have to wait for a gap in car traffic
when leaving the stop. With a bus cape, the bus does not have to make a sideways movement in
order to access the bus stop. On a street with only one line of traffic in each direction, the traffic
behind the bus normally has to stop while the bus is at the bus stop. The type of bus stop is
especially advantageous on a trunk bus line and on other important parts of the bus system. Other
effects are that it allows more parking spaces for cars, provides a shorter bus stop area, calms
traffic, decreases the risk of illegal car parking, and provides room for bus shelters, bicycle racks,
etc. Two bus capes opposite each other (1 bus wide) provide for safety, e.g. at schools. Bus capes
should not be used if the traffic flow is heavy or if the stop time is long.
Required Fleet Strength

The number of buses required to cater to urban routes of a major city depends on many factors:
a. Population of the city
b. Standard of living
c. Travel habit of the residents
d. Availability and utilization of other modes
e. Condition of road infrastructure
f. Degree of congestion on roads
Fleet Strength: Calculation

Rough rule of Thumb: The minimum requirement of buses may be taken as one per 2000
inhabitants.
Fleet Strength: Calculation
BUS Route Planning
Needs:
The need for route planning may rise under the following situations:
1. To maximize the utility of the existing fleet
2. To enhance the efficiency of the existing route network
3. For extension or modification of the existing routes due to additional development
4. For a new town under development
Functions:
1. Collection of passengers from dispersed residential areas, shopping areas and work places
2. Provision of suitable alignment for line hauls between origin and destination
3. Dispersal of passengers to work places, shopping areas, and residential areas. For an urban bus
service to be feasible, the town should have a minimum population of 30000.
Types of Route
Types of Route
City Bus route can also be classified as:
Traditional routes: Traditional routes are the routes which have evolved over a period time in
response to traffic demand. The route courses attempt to cover as many activity centers as
possible, resulting in heavy detour to the direct passengers and overlaps among the routes.
Circular routes: Originate and terminate at the same terminal, and are suitable for routes along
ring roads.
Serpentine routes: A serpentine route has its route course connecting many residential areas and
in the process involves considerable meandering.
Direction‐oriented route: The passengers may move in the desired direction on one route and
may have to transfer to another route to reach their destination e.g.: radial and circumferential
route pattern.
Principles of Route Planning:
1. A direct bus route along the shortest distance may be desirable, but may not necessarily be the
best. Deviations may be necessary, to accommodate the desired origins and destinations of
passengers and to facilitate even loading throughout the route.
2. For the passengers, the distance from residence to the nearest bus stop should be less than 500
m or corresponding to 5‐minute walk.
3. Each route should connect more than one land use.
4. Terminals should be sited near point of convergence of passengers. Railway station should be
chosen as terminals for important bus routes to aid proper road rail coordination.
5. Interchange point from one bus to another should be planned in such a manner that the
passengers alighting from one bus can board the other at the same bus stop.
6. The bus depots should be so located that the dead‐km is minimum
7. A direction oriented routing pattern is likely to be more efficient for operation than a
destination oriented system.
8. Once a route is planned and operated, changes are difficult as passengers get used to the route
and may resist change.
9. Strips should be provided close to major activity centers and suburban/metro railway stations.
Performance Indicator
1. Operational Performance Indicators

2. Financial Performance Indicators
3. Quality Service Indicators
Operational Performance Indicator

• Passenger Volume
• Fleet Utilization
• Average Distance travelled per bus
• Breakdowns in service
• Fuel Consumption
• Staff Bus ratio
• Accident rate
• Dead-km
Financial Performance Indicator

• Operating Ratio
• Earning Per Km of Bus operation
• Cost per Km of Bus operation
• Cost per passenger Km
Quality Service Indicators

• Passengers’ waiting time
• Walking distance to bus stops
• Passenger journey time
• The need to interchange between routes and services
• Punctuality of service
• Passenger’s travel expenditure and
• Affordability

Bus Transport

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BUS TRANSPORT

Bus Transport Characteristics

Advantages of Bus Transport

3. The schedule can be varied easily to suit the demand

Types of Bus Services

Depending on route coverage, bus services may be of the following types:

• Thus overall transportation function is performed in a closed System

The Types of Buses used in urban transportation are:

Types of Bus Stop

The Bus stop may be one of three types:

Lay-by bus stops

Required Fleet Strength

Fleet Strength: Calculation

Fleet Strength: Calculation

BUS Route Planning

3. Each route should connect more than one land use.

6. The bus depots should be so located that the dead‐km is minimum

1. Operational Performance Indicators

Operational Performance Indicator

Financial Performance Indicator

Quality Service Indicators

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