Improving Bus Service
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TP 15183E (03/2012) IMPROVING BUS SERVICE MODEST INVESTMENTS TO INCREASE TRANSIT RIDERSHIP This document was prepared for Transport Canada by Gris Orange Consultant. © Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada, represented by the Minister of Transport, 2012. Cette publication est aussi disponible en français sous le titre L’amélioration du service d’autobus : Investissements modestes pour accroître l’achalandage du transport en commun TP 15183E ISBN: 978-1-100-20402-4 Catalogue No.: T42-8/2012E-PDF Permission to reproduce Transport Canada grants permission to copy and/or reproduce the contents of this publication for personal and public non-commercial use. Users must reproduce the materials accurately, identify Transport Canada as the source and not present theirs as an official version, or as having been produced with the help or the endorsement of Transport Canada. To request permission to reproduce materials from this publication for commercial purposes, contact: Publishing and Depository Services Public Works and Government Services Canada Ottawa ON K1A 0S5 [email protected] Table of Contents About This Guide ..........................................................3 IS THIS GUIDE FOR YOU? ......................................................................................................................................3 Transportation Agencies and Authorities ................................................................................................3 Employers and Real Estate Developers ...................................................................................................3 Educational institutions ..............................................................................................................................3 Non-Governmental Organizations and Community Groups ..................................................................3 WHAT’S INSIDE? .....................................................................................................................................................4 Section 1 – Introduction ..............................................5 1.1. SUSTAINABLE TRANSPORTATION AND TRANSPORTATION DEMAND MANAGEMENT (TDM) ......5 1.2. WHAT IS IMPROVED BUS SERVICE? ...........................................................................................................7 1.2.1. Network Planning and Services .......................................................................................................7 1.2.2. Branding and Marketing ...................................................................................................................8 1.2.3. Right-of-Way and Transit Priority .....................................................................................................8 1.2.4. Bus Stop and Bus Station ................................................................................................................9 1.2.5. Vehicle ................................................................................................................................................9 1.3. BENEFITS OF IMPROVED BUS SERVICE ......................................................................................................9 1.3.1. System Benefits .................................................................................................................................9 1.3.2. Community Benefits ....................................................................................................................... 10 1.4. TYPOLOGIES OF URBAN TRANSPORT NETWORKS ................................................................................11 Section 2 - Planning Process .....................................13 2.1. STAKEHOLDERS AND PARTICIPATION ......................................................................................................13 2.2. RIDERSHIP AND DEMAND ANALYSIS .......................................................................................................15 2.3. CREATING A VISION FOR IMPROVED BUS SERVICES ............................................................................16 2.4. ACTION PLAN .................................................................................................................................................17 Section 3 - Potential Measures and Initiatives ........18 3.1. NETWORK PLANNING AND SERVICES .....................................................................................................20 3.1.1. Shared Accountability System .......................................................................................................21 3.1.2. Network Reliability ..........................................................................................................................21 3.1.3. Quality Performance ......................................................................................................................23 3.1.4. Route and Network Coordination ..................................................................................................23 3.1.5. Provide customized transportation services .................................................................................24 3.2. BRANDING AND MARKETING ....................................................................................................................26 3.2.1. Comprehensive Marketing Strategy .............................................................................................26 3.2.2. Branding .........................................................................................................................................27 3.2.3. Market Research ............................................................................................................................27 3.2.4. Social Marketing ............................................................................................................................28 3.2.5. Advertising .....................................................................................................................................29 3.2.6. Strategic Partnerships ....................................................................................................................29 i 3.3. RIGHT-OF-WAY AND TRANSIT PRIORITY ................................................................................................31 3.3.1. Dedicated Right-of-Way ..................................................................................................................32 3.3.2. High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) Lanes ...........................................................................................34 3.3.3. Express Bus Routes ........................................................................................................................36 3.3.4. Queue Jump Lane ..........................................................................................................................37 3.3.5. Priority Signalization ......................................................................................................................39 3.4. BUS STOP AND BUS STATION ...................................................................................................................41 3.4.1. Amenities .........................................................................................................................................42 3.4.2. Between Stop Service ....................................................................................................................44 3.4.3. Enhanced Traveler Information Systems ......................................................................................45 3.4.4. Park-and-Ride Facilities ..................................................................................................................47 3.4.5. Bike-and-Ride Facilities ..................................................................................................................48 3.4.6. Intermodality ...................................................................................................................................50 3.5. VEHICLE ...........................................................................................................................................................51 3.5.1. Vehicle Style & Design ....................................................................................................................52 3.5.2. Bicycle Rack .....................................................................................................................................53 3.5.3. WiFi ................................................................................................................................................55 3.5.4. Universal Accessibility ...................................................................................................................56 Section 4 - Project Monitoring and Evaluation .........57 4.1. BUILD A MONITORING FRAMEWORK .......................................................................................................59 4.2. EVALUATE AND REPORT RESULTS .............................................................................................................62 4.3. ADJUST AND MODIFY ..................................................................................................................................62 Bibliography ................................................................63 ii About This Guide Improving