The tram-bus, or bus-tram, or truss, or bram...
From the Torygraph, via Transport Blog:
"A new type of bus that looks more like a tram is being designed by First Group in a drive to get more passengers out of their cars and on to public transport.
The bus and rail operator said yesterday that research showed people preferred trams to buses, so it had decided to build a "tram bus"."
I think they're missing the point here. There are lots of reasons why people don't like buses, and appearance is just one of them. The main reason why I don't like buses is uncertainty. Most bus stops don't have shelters, only poles with cryptic maps and timetables that could be from 1986. At a subway station, if it's open, it means there will be another train coming around some time soon. If I'm not sure, there's usually a station agent to ask. With light rail, the stations are a little more built-up, and the presence of tracks and overhead wires proves beyond a shadow of a doubt that there is indeed service to this location.
Many people who will get on a train and not a bus do so simply because they feel reassured that their train will eventually roll around.
Can this be solved? Yes. More elaborate bus stops linked to GPS could tell riders when buses will arrive and clearer maps overlayed on real street maps (like they're starting to do in downtown Washington) could help. On the buses, some sort of lit-up "spider" map could give a sense of place to a rider in an unfamiliar area.
Keeping them halfway clean would help as well.
Post Author:
rj3 | 2:09 PM |
Link
|
TrackBacks
I agree-First Group is trying to solve the wrong problem.
What is taking signs that give estimated bus arrival times so long? I recall talking with someone whose company had a prototype sort of running in San Francisco about 7-8 years ago.
Someone needs to figure out how to make them vandalism-proof. No transit authority will spend more than a bare minimum on any non-manned structure.
The innards of a bug zapper.
