Network Reviews & Scheduling
We have over 20 years’ experience in reviewing, designing and implementing bus networks in the UK. Our work to design and optimise new and existing networks includes crew and vehicle scheduling to maximise resources and save you PVR where possible.
Network Reviews
We have a track record of delivering practical improvements at route, corridor and network levels in different operating environments including:
- Market analysis
- Route costing and planning
- Network reviews
- Producing detailed timetables and vehicle workings
- Planning and costing a new bus network
- Operational costings
- Patronage and revenue forecasting
- Modelling the effects of changes to key ‘drivers’ such as passenger walk times, journey times, frequency changes and fare levels.
Our analysis of existing patronage, in conjunction with assessments of potential demand, enable us to develop detailed action plans designed to increase use and/or improve financial performance.
Our operational audit of services identifies all significant delays and operational difficulties and allows us to generate proposals for bus priority, traffic management measures and other enhancements.
We also offer a range of approaches to identifying the views of both current and potential customers. We have a proven methodology for quantifying and testing the passenger benefits which will result from the implementation of our proposals.
Understanding the existing networking
Electronic ticket machines and smartcard back office systems contain a large volume of data about the use of networks which, with tweaking and validating against a small number of physical surveys, can provide a full profile of current bus use across a network.
Our QDATA ETM analysis software can handle information from virtually all electronic ticket machines and enables comprehensive and speedy processing of bulk information, providing reliable outcomes.
We also offer a range of approaches to identifying the views of both current and potential customers. We have a proven methodology for quantifying and testing the passenger benefits which will result from the implementation of our proposals.
One of our bus network experts, Chris Stockton, transformed declining Citybus network in Belfast 2004/05. Rationalising services and creating a new network of 12 key corridors, focusing on high frequencies, ultimately led to an increase in patronage of 15% in the first year on core routes.
“We look at what is there now: service frequencies, loadings, whether there are too many buses running together and we ask questions,” explains Chris, Principal Consultant – who has been at TAS for 16 years and whose experience includes working at Stagecoach in Lancashire and for Lancashire and Cheshire County Councils.
“In some cases, locations that have traditionally been linked should still be joined but sometimes they shouldn’t. Then, we work out what level of demand will warrant what level of services, look at what level of resources an operator is able to commit and whether the ideal level of service can be provided for and the characteristics of the particular operator.”
Park & Ride Analysis
We offer a complete package of services to develop, manage and improve P&R operations, including:
- Demographic analysis of the catchment area
- Analysis of existing parking capacity and charges in the town/city centre
- Applying a range of traffic interception rates to traffic flow data to estimate demand
- Modelling the impact of price and charging strategies
- Assessment of bus operating costs
TAS has been studying the characteristics of park and ride for over ten years now, and has an extensive and regularly updated database detailing the characteristics and performance of each site, which is regularly updated.
We have undertaken projects to determine the demand potential for new P&R sites and assisted authorities in the development, letting and ongoing management of P&R management contracts in several locations around the country.
Key Contacts
Steve Warburton
Head of Business Operations
