What works to increase mode shift towards bus usage? How does this differ by region or across different demographic groups?

Background

The improve transport for the user strategic priority is critical in ensuring the department delivers and maintains a transport system that meets the needs of the public and addresses what they care about most. It puts the needs and expectations of current and potential users (both passengers and freight customers) at the heart of the operation of the transport system and considers about end-to-end journeys, not just individual transport modes. It is focused on ensuring that our infrastructure and the services which use it meet the varied needs of businesses and the public, are attractive, affordable, sustainable, and resilient is a crucial goal for the department.

Next steps

Get in touch with bridgetoresearch@dft.gov.uk

Source

This question was published as part of the set of ARIs in this document:

DFT-Areas of research interest 2023 GOV UK

Related UKRI funded projects


  • DRT for DRT: Developing Relevant Tools for Demand Responsive Transport

    The rise in private car use in the UK has major implications relating to how transport more generally is provided. One problem is that conventional public transport (i.e. bus, light rail and heavy rail) is steadily becom...

    Funded by: EPSRC

    Why might this be relevant?

    The project focuses on developing tools to determine the potential contribution of Demand Responsive Transport (DRT) to meet transport objectives, which aligns with the question about increasing mode shift towards bus usage.

  • Demand-based Urban Bus Integrated with Rail And Health (DUBIRAH)

    A citizen rarely finds bus, rail and/or health service provisions seamlessly aligned: scheduled bus services do not provide sufficiently direct door-to-door journeys, e.g. between railway stations and final destinations,...

    Funded by: Innovate UK

    Why might this be relevant?

    The project aims to increase bus usage by integrating bus services with rail and health care, addressing the need for seamless transport options.

  • University of Surrey and Surrey County Council

    To increase patronage of bus services in the country of Surrey, by establishing new ways of identifying customer needs, behaviours and user-experience; making bus services more appealing to potential customers....

    Funded by: Innovate UK

    Why might this be relevant?

    The project focuses on increasing patronage of bus services by identifying customer needs and making services more appealing, partially addressing the question.

  • A Big Data Digital Twin of Mass Transit in Liverpool City Region for Smart, Equitable Mobility

    Liverpool City Region Combined Authority's (LCRCA) bus network is at a crucial stage in its evolution. As the Combined Authority prepares for a full network review and a pioneering franchising model, the "Big Data D...

    Funded by: Innovate UK

  • Public Transport Integrated On-Line Booking & Scheduling

    Transport on Demand re-invents the way of delivering public service transport for rural and suburban areas. Based on small buses following a route that is generated solely from the passenger’s calls this IT system will c...

    Funded by: Innovate UK

  • Community Travel Platform

    Shared transit, such as public transport, is key to getting people around and maintaining our economy. It is vital in reducing our impact on the environment. UK cities have well-developed public transport infrastructure,...

    Funded by: Innovate UK

  • Automated Bus Routing (ABR)

    The need for a transport system which uses on-demand routing arises principally from the shortcomings of the current options available for local journeys. The average Briton makes 821 trips of below 10 miles annually (Na...

    Funded by: Innovate UK

  • Live prediction of seat-availability for bus passengers from real time bus occupancy and location data

    Social distancing measures have reduced the effective capacity of buses to 40% of regular capacity. Although many routes are not currently busy enough to be commercially viable overall, they can be too busy at certain ti...

    Funded by: Innovate UK

  • FlowOS Bus Occupancy Estimation

    The bus industry was hit significantly by the COVID-19 crisis, with passenger numbers down by around 90%. Throughout the crisis bus companies have continued to provide a vital service, with running 40-50% of buses. To li...

    Funded by: Innovate UK

  • Providing insights into multi-day traveller behaviour to inform sustainable transport policies and practices

    A good understanding of traveller behaviour underpins all policies which are effective in influencing travel behaviour to reduce congestion, increase activity levels, improve air quality and/or reduce carbon emissions. I...

    Funded by: ESRC