CHARACTERISTICS OF COMPETITIVENESS FOR PUBLIC TRANSPORT SYSTEMS BASED ON TRAMS OR BUSES

This project is part of the research programme Rail - Light Cost II. It aims to identify factors which lead to success for public transport systems based on these means of transport. The report is focused on traffic in cities. It has been carried out as a literature study, combined with detailed studies in four specific cities, in which the transport developments show different patterns: Joenkoeping and Stockholm in Sweden, Rouen in France and Essen in Germany. Generally, tram operations have a rather strong system image, whereas buses show a weaker system image. High quality bus systems with e.g. a high degree of separate right of way, signal priority and real time passenger information, as well as guided buses and trolleybuses, show an intermediate system image. The structuralising effects of tram routes on building activities and other establishments are obvious. When a new tram system is established car traffic is often restricted in various ways. The extent of restrictions is not equally obvious when new bus systems are established. New tram systems are used not only as a means of transport but also as a tool for refurbishing the city environment. This includes establishing pedestrianised areas, restrictions on car use and establishing Park and Ride facilities. The so called Rail Factor has been specially investigated, but has been difficult to prove for just public transport with trams. It has not been possible to identify any exact limits for passenger volumes best carried by buses or by trams; the values are really fluid. However, public transport makes much more efficient use of the street area than car traffic. Trams are more than twice as efficient as buses, when the number of passenger carried is considered. In the period 1986-1996 the European cities which base public transport on trams show a bigger growth in the number of passenger carried than do cities which rely on buses. (A) This document is also available electronically via Internet at URL: http://www.vti.se/PDF/reports/M948.pdf