Skip to main content

Public transport study: What moves the sector?

A new study by transportation software provider PTV Group concludes that scarcity of resources and demographic change are determining the future of public transport. The study illustrates which topics are moving the public transport sector and how stakeholders are dealing with them. The study involved around 300 participants from around the world, including transport operators, associations, consultants and engineering companies. The majority (81 per cent) stated fewer resources and climate change as the l
February 11, 2013 Read time: 3 mins
A new study by transportation software provider 3264 PTV Group concludes that scarcity of resources and demographic change are determining the future of public transport.  The study illustrates which topics are moving the public transport sector and how stakeholders are dealing with them.

The study involved around 300 participants from around the world, including transport operators, associations, consultants and engineering companies. The majority (81 per cent) stated fewer resources and climate change as the largest industry driver. Moreover, 80 per cent believe that demographic change is a strong driver.

The four different groups evaluated both topics differently. For example, transport operators and consulting and engineering organisations placed major emphasis on green concepts: Over half of those surveyed (72 per cent) are working on more efficient vehicle utilisation. Optimised schedules came second (61 per cent). The use of environmentally friendly vehicles, such as solar buses or hybrid vehicles, came third (58 per cent).

Transport associations and authorities in particular see the need for action on demographic change. Half of the transport associations state that it is a strong driver; for transport authorities it is as much as 67 per cent. "For example, due to our ageing society, school transport will drop off, which in many regions has a decisive influence on the public transport offerings," says Dr Ing. Peter Mott, business development director of PTV Group. This traffic represents an important source of revenue for transport operators and associations. They will therefore be forced to develop new, sustainable concepts, mastering the challenges of demographic change.

According to Mott, with the increasing flexibility of offerings due to alternative forms of operation as well as demand-responsive operation, there is a variety of ideas in progress.  "As a provider of transport planning software, it is exciting for us to see which ideas will prevail and how software-supported planning will contribute to design," he says.

The study claims that a good quarter of those surveyed have already complemented their offering with alternative service forms, such as dial-a-ride transport services, and around one in ten is already offering demand-responsive operations such as on request by pressing a button at the bus stop or stopping on request. One in five is planning to implement the latter in the next five years.

The study can be downloaded from the PTV Group website, %$Linker: 2 External <?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-16"?><dictionary /> 0 0 0 oLinkExternal www.ptv-vision.com/PuT www.ptv-vision.com/PuT false http://www.ptv-vision.com/PuT false false%>.

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • IBTTA Toll Excellence awards open
    April 15, 2015
    IBTTA's Toll Excellence Awards, which recognise the very best the international tolling industry has to offer, are open for submissions. The awards celebrate IBTTA member toll agencies whose creative, innovative, positive programs set a new standard of excellence. And this year, a new award has been created to recognise the contributions made by the private sector. Visit www.IBTTA.org/awards for submission guidelines and the agency and private sector submission forms.
  • ITS America hosting panel discussion at CES 2016
    December 4, 2015
    ITS America is hosting a panel discussion on 5 January as a part of the Broadband Conference Track at the consumer Technology Association CES 2016 conference. The discussion, Intelligent Transportation: Are We There Yet? is moderated by ITS America president and CEO Regina Hopper, with speakers from AAA, General Motors and the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute, The panel will explore the powerful nexus of data, mobility and vehicles that is coming out of test beds and onto American
  • North Florida signals coordinated approach to congestion management
    October 7, 2013
    David Crawford investigates innovative congestion management in Florida. The largest US city by area is well into the implementation of an ambitious congestion management system (CMS) on the scale of those of higher-profile centres such as Seattle and San Francisco. Regional agency the North Florida Transportation Planning Organisation (NFTPO) aims to ensure that commuters on major highways in Jacksonville can rely on a minimum 72km/h (45mph) driving speed in normal conditions.
  • More than ever to see at CARTES SECURE CONNEXIONS 2014
    July 9, 2014
    • Monday 3 November 2014: SESAMES Awards ceremony • Tuesday 4 November 2014: OPENING SUMMIT: a grand opening conference with leaders from the biggest companies in the security and payment sector • From Tuesday 4 to Thursday 6 November 2014: Trade exhibition with more than 450 exhibitors from over 50 countries • From Tuesday 4 to Thursday 6 November 2014: 120 conferences exploring the latest trends in the areas of identification, payment and mobility. For more information go to www.CA