The document discusses redesigning bus networks to be simpler, faster, and more connected. It provides examples of bus network redesigns from various cities that establish a hierarchy of frequent, regular, and supplemental routes. The presentation advocates for principles like simplifying routes, improving reliability through bus priority infrastructure, and maximizing transfer opportunities between routes to create a more connected network. Case studies on bus network classifications, stopping patterns, and service frequencies from Australian cities are examined.

1. AITPM National Conference 2014
Redesigning Bus Networks to be
Simpler, Faster and More Connected
Adelaide, South Australia Wednesday 13th August 2014

2. AITPM 2014 National Conference Adelaide
Challenges for Bus Network Planning
 Population growth with higher density inner areas
 Changing customer markets
 Maximise opportunities between suburban centres
 Need for stability and robustness in the bus network
 Complex bus network for infrequent or new customers

3. AITPM 2014 National Conference Adelaide
Route 509 – The “No” Hope Street Story
 2 km with 20 minute frequency
 Operated between 2 tram lines
 Low, but loyal patronage
 High community support
 After 50 years, resources were
redeployed in Sept 2012

4. AITPM 2014 National Conference Adelaide
• Simpler
 Easier to get to know the routes
 More convenient to find the stops
• Faster
 Less time on the bus and waiting for it
 More dependable
• More Connected
 Connected to more places
 More positive bus travel experiences
“I can figure it out”
“I can count on it to
arrive on time”
“I have more
options to travel to
more places”
Rationale for a Customer-focussed Bus Network

5. AITPM 2014 National Conference Adelaide
Proposed Simpler Bus Network Hierarchy
Frequent
Regular
Supplemental
 As least every 15 minutes from 7
am to 7 pm operating 7 days
 On most the direct corridors with
maximum use of bus priority
 As demand requires
 Local feeders to activity centres
 Peak expresses
 Crosstown connectors
 As least every 30 minutes during
daytime at least 6 days / week
 On arterial and collector road
network to maximise coverage

6. AITPM 2014 National Conference Adelaide
Sydney’s Bus Future (2013)
 Three tier service hierarchy
 Defined by service frequency and type of route
 Rapid routes have highest need for infrastructure

7. AITPM 2014 National Conference Adelaide
Sydney’s Bus Future

8. AITPM 2014 National Conference Adelaide
TransLink in Vancouver, Canada

9. AITPM 2014 National Conference Adelaide
Frequent Transit Network in Vancouver, Canada

10. AITPM 2014 National Conference Adelaide
Auckland Regional Public Transport Plan (2013)
 Four service layers
 Defined by minimum frequency and
operating hours
 Level of bus priority

11. AITPM 2014 National Conference Adelaide
High Frequency BUZ in Brisbane, Queensland

12. AITPM 2014 National Conference Adelaide
Rapid Routes in Canberra, ACT

13. AITPM 2014 National Conference Adelaide
Hi-Frequency Network in Minneapolis, USA

14. AITPM 2014 National Conference Adelaide
Other Frequent Bus Networks in the USA
• Denver, Colorado
• Los Angeles, California
• Houston, Texas
• Seattle, Washington

15. AITPM 2014 National Conference Adelaide
Frequent Transit Network in Portland, Oregon

16. AITPM 2014 National Conference Adelaide
New Frequent Bus Corridors in Australia
Route 950 SuperBus in Perth that merged
4 other routes between UWA and Morley

17. AITPM 2014 National Conference Adelaide
Assessment of Australian Bus Network Planning
Type of Network
Attribute Classification Definition
Metro Route
Class
Metro CBD
Operates within metropolitan area only and to the
CBD (city centre)
Non-CBD Metro Does not enter the metropolitan CBD
Regional
Does not enter the metropolitan area or does not
have stops within the metro area, but in CBD only
Stopping Pattern
All-stops All-stops for entire route
Limited
Widely-spaced stops on average of 500 m apart
outside of CBD
Express Most of route skips stops; all stops within CBD
 Metropolitan route class
 Stopping pattern
 CBD or non-CBD route type
 Service frequency

18. AITPM 2014 National Conference Adelaide
Bus Route Classifications
Type of Network
Attribute Classification Definition
CBD Route Type
Internal Entire route is within CBD (free shuttle buses)
Through
Route passes through the CBD or is through-linked
to other routes
Terminating
Route terminates with a layover facility in the
metropolitan CBD
Non-CBD Route
Type
Local Operates locally within the region
Cross-regional Operates between regions
Inter-regional Operates external to the metropolitan area
Service
Frequency
Frequent
7 days/week; services every 15 minutes in the inter-
peak period; more frequently in peak periods
Regular
6 or 7 days/week; services every 30 minutes in the
inter-peak period
Supplemental
5 or 6 days/week or less; services every 60 minutes
in inter-peak period or peak period only

19. AITPM 2014 National Conference Adelaide
Bus Networks to the CBD in Australian Cities

20. AITPM 2014 National Conference Adelaide
Bus Stopping Patterns in Australian Bus Networks

21. AITPM 2014 National Conference Adelaide
Types of CBD Routes in Australian Bus Networks

22. AITPM 2014 National Conference Adelaide
Route Service Frequencies in Australian Cities

23. AITPM 2014 National Conference Adelaide
Guiding Principles for Connected Bus Networks
• Simpler
 Improve legibility with 3 level route hierarchy
 Minimise route duplication
• Faster
 Manage stop spacing and stop loading
 Improve reliability with suitable bus priority measures
• More Connected
 Maximise transfer options with a connected network
 Improve amenity at bus interchanges

24. AITPM 2014 National Conference Adelaide
Bus Network Guiding Principles
Network
Design
Process
Spatial
Attributes
Time
Elements
- Plan with a Bus Network Hierarchy
- Redesign Bus Networks to Connect
- Maximise Timetable Coordination
- Identify Bus Interchange Locations
- Minimise Route Duplications
- Increase Travel Directness
- Increase Network Connectivity
- Manage Stop Spacing
- Promote All-Day Travel Demand
- Improve Service Frequencies
- Increase Bus Reliability and Speeds
- Identify Infrastructure for Bus Priority
Better for more
connections to
other places
Simpler for a
bus network that
is easier to use
Faster for more
reliable, frequent
services

25. AITPM 2014 National Conference Adelaide
National Conversation about Frequency
 Definition of “turn up and go”
 What is a “high frequency network”?
 Consistent route hierarchy throughout Australia
 Common terminology within bus network planning

26. AITPM 2014 National Conference Adelaide
The Challenge for Simpler, Faster and More
Connected Bus Networks
Questions?