Quality Bus Systems

Faber Maunsell provides a comprehensive service covering all key aspects of planning and implementing high quality bus systems.

The majority of public transport journeys in Britain are made by bus. By improving the quality of services, more passengers can be attracted helping to reduce traffic congestion and contributing to more sustainable patterns of travel.

Delivery of quality bus services requires:

• A thorough understanding of customers' needs and aspirations
• Competitive journey times
• An attractive fare strategy tailored to customers' ability and willingness to pay
• High levels of comfort both at the bus stop and on the vehicle
• Good customer information
• Well-trained staff
• Development of funding packages combining public and private sector investment to achieve overall strategy objectives in a co-ordinated way

To achieve success all these elements must be right and Faber Maunsell can help at all key stages.

Market Research

Historically the bus industry has carried out relatively little market research as it is often cheaper to introduce a new service on an experimental basis than to undertake research. However market research has a role to play. It can help by:

• Highlighting perceived strengths and weaknesses
• Determining priorities for improvement
• Identifying patterns of travel (by car as well as by bus) to show how well services are matched to demand
• Monitoring outturn results against expectations

Faber Maunsell's specialist market research team helps operators and local authorities, using techniques such as PRIORITY INDEX to highlight key areas for improvement.

Planning the Network

Most operators have the skills and resources to undertake network planning in-house. However local authorities and groups of operators may wish to take a more strategic view of future network options. This could be to address shortcomings identified through market research, assess the opportunities presented by infrastructure investment or respond to major traffic management proposals. Faber Maunsell has the skills and experience to plan networks to meet customers' needs.

Providing the Infrastructure

In most cities, the bus cannot provide an effective alternative to the car if it has to compete for road space. A key feature of most quality bus strategies is greater priority for buses. A range of measures can be appropriate given the specific circumstances in individual towns and cities and on particular routes. They include:

• Conventional bus lanes, effectively enforced
• Bus priority at traffic signals
• Bus only streets
• Fully segregated busways

Faber Maunsell's experience ranges from design and implementation of individual schemes to the major London Bus Initiative Programme. We use the full range of priority techniques from conventional bus lanes and advanced traffic signal priorities to guided busways.

Fares and Ticketing

Inter-operator and multi-modal tickets are increasingly seen as a key component of integrated transport strategies. Smartcard-based systems have the potential to allow much more flexible pricing systems to be developed. Faber Maunsell is at the forefront of these developments and project managed the introduction of the South West Wales smartcard system.

Information

High quality customer information is essential, both before and during the journey - potential customers will only use services if they know what is available. Faber Maunsell has a range of experience in developing and implementing real time information systems.

Funding

Effective quality bus systems require substantial investment and cannot usually be wholly funded by operators. There may be a need for significant public investment to unlock the wider economic and transport benefits of improved bus services. Faber Maunsell has a proven track record in helping to achieve funding for quality bus projects.

Partnerships for Success

Effective partnerships between operators and local authorities are needed to develop and implement effective strategies to develop high quality bus systems. Partnerships involving other agencies can widen the range of funding sources and help attract the investment needed for success. Faber Maunsell works with clients to facilitate the development of effective partnerships.

For more information on our experience and capabilities please contact Jonathan Oakes.