Transport and Travel Research Ltd – BUS PASSENGER INFORMATION STUDY 1994

Description

The Bus Passenger Information Study (Phase 2) builds on a Phase 1 household survey (1,250 respondents across four regions) to design improved passenger information systems and prepare them for Phase 3 testing. Phase 1 found passengers value departure times, service frequency, service number and interchange information most. Pre-trip information—especially printed timetables at home/work and telephone enquiry lines—was preferred over relying on drivers or on-stop displays. For unfamiliar journeys, A-to-B route details, fares and service changes gain importance. Respondents favored receiving information at convenient locations (home, bus stop, on-board) and rated new media—real-time stop displays, in-street terminals and on-bus displays—highly. Comprehension of conventional and new media was not a major issue; the key problem is awareness of available information and its location. Phase 2 proposes a trip-stage strategy testing current, improved low-cost and high-cost media (in-home, at-stop, in-town) via Hall Tests to rank preferred options; Phase 3 will quantitatively evaluate the findings.