A major public policy debate has surrounded the relative success of bus priority and branding measures as compared with generic route services in attracting patronage. In this paper, a gross performance ratio is presented, to quantify the success for each of 7 Bus Rapid Transit and 20 Branded Bus Service systems as compared with regular route buses across six Australian capital cities.
The paper identifies the distinctive locational characteristics of various bus priority and brand identity initiatives as a way of controlling for influences that are not under the control of the offered services, so that various systems can be meaningfully compared, giving a net performance ratio. This allows an informed comparison between systems and cities, controlling for operating environment and other service characteristics. The results reinforce the merits of upgraded bus services both as standalone initiatives and also as an alternative to expensive, rail-based infrastructure investment.
The Paper provides 6 key recommendations to support a progressive commitment to positioning bus-based services within the broader remit of government to provide value for money investment in public transport in our cities and regions throughout Australia.
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Each year, the Bus Industry Confederation recognises and rewards excellence within Australian bus and coach at its national conference. This year, winners from across the nation were selected to receive five industry awards in Perth. It is our privilege to present the following national winners from the 2025 National Industry Awards… June TrethewayTransport for BrisbaneNational […]
The Bus Industry Confederation (BIC) continues to advise and support governments across the country in the revision of bus safety requirement policies — particularly on dedicated school bus services. The BIC has developed a suite of operator guidelines and industry advisories on fire, passenger door, roll-over and seatbelt safety, for example, as well as submitted numerous […]
The Bus Industry Confederation (BIC) continues to advise and support governments across the country in the revision of bus safety requirement policies — particularly on dedicated school bus services. The BIC has developed a suite of operator guidelines and industry advisories on fire, passenger door, roll-over and seatbelt safety, for example, as well as submitted numerous […]
The Bus Industry Confederation (BIC) continues to advise and support governments across the country in the revision of bus safety requirement policies — particularly on dedicated school bus services. The BIC has developed a suite of operator guidelines and industry advisories on fire, passenger door, roll-over and seatbelt safety, for example, as well as submitted numerous […]
The Bus Industry Confederation (BIC) continues to advise and support governments across the country in the revision of bus safety requirement policies — particularly on dedicated school bus services. The BIC has developed a suite of operator guidelines and industry advisories on fire, passenger door, roll-over and seatbelt safety, for example, as well as submitted numerous […]
