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Review of bus rapid transit and branded bus service network performance in Australia

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  • Hensher, David A.
  • Wong, Yale Z.
  • Ho, Loan

Abstract

Bus rapid transit on dedicated right-of-way and branded bus services with a distinct visual identity have been implemented in various forms around Australia over the past three decades. A major public policy debate has surrounded the relative success of these bus priority and branding measures as compared with generic route services in attracting patronage. In this paper, we devise a metric known as a (gross) patronage performance ratio to quantify the success for each of seven bus rapid transit systems and 20 branded bus services as compared with regular route buses across six Australian capitals. A regression analysis is conducted to determine the statistical significance of various bus priority and brand identity initiatives which are used as inputs into a normalisation procedure to determine the net patronage performance ratio of each service offering. This allows an informed comparison between systems and cities, controlling for operating environment and other service characteristics. The results reinforce the patronage merits of upgraded bus services in contrast to standard bus services. Measures like network legibility and brand identity all help upgrade the image of the bus.

Suggested Citation

  • Hensher, David A. & Wong, Yale Z. & Ho, Loan, 2020. "Review of bus rapid transit and branded bus service network performance in Australia," Research in Transportation Economics, Elsevier, vol. 83(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:retrec:v:83:y:2020:i:c:s0739885920300317
    DOI: 10.1016/j.retrec.2020.100842
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Walker, Jarrett, 2008. "Purpose-driven public transport: creating a clear conversation about public transport goals," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 16(6), pages 436-442.
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    5. David Hensher & Thomas Golob, 2008. "Bus rapid transit systems: a comparative assessment," Transportation, Springer, vol. 35(4), pages 501-518, July.
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Bus rapid transit; Branded bus services; Performance index; Normalisation; Benchmarking; Australian urban services;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • R40 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - Transportation Economics - - - General
    • R42 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - Transportation Economics - - - Government and Private Investment Analysis; Road Maintenance; Transportation Planning
    • R48 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - Transportation Economics - - - Government Pricing and Policy

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