THE NATIONAL BUS COMPANY "MAP" MARKET ANALYSIS PROJECT

Reference is made to social factors which have influenced the demand for bus services, and further decrease in the demand due to necessity for higher fares. The need for operational efficiency and use of public transport subsidies is stated. The National Bus Company policy of applying market analysis techniques to relate bus services to passenger demand, with rationalization of cross-subsidy and revenue support policies, is explained. A general outline of the MAP procedure is presented and illustrated, and its major tasks to be carried out at bus company level are summarised. A description is given of the data acquisition process by on-bus surveys, and an explanation follows of the bus system design procedure. The possible need of local authority traffic management schemes is discussed, and procedural details included for implementing revised bus services. (TRRL)