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Better Public Transport Starts With Better Data

Public transport data is messy, fragmented, and incomplete, but it doesn't have to be.

At Intermoda (formerly netBI and Bridj), we help transport agencies and operators to get 'data fit', building trust in the information that drives decisions and moves cities forward.

Learn what it takes to get data fit, and why it matters for the future of public transport.

Intermodal

How the MBTA Is Building a Blueprint for Mobility Integration

We often discuss the need to integrate modes to improve transport systems. The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) has developed this mobility integration plan to help.

Key Takeaways

• The MBTA provides transit service to 177 cities and towns across Massachusetts by heavy and light rail, bus, commuter rail, ferry, and paratransit.
• Mobility integration is defined as better connecting transportation services to aid transfers and simplify a traveller’s journey from start to finish.
• The plan provides a framework for approaching mobility integration initiatives, partnerships, and pilots and for the steps necessary to build capacity to handle them.
• Types of integrations:

• The MBTA works with a lot of partners, and they will be needed to simplify rider navigation, reduce barriers to access and the gaps between transit providers, and promote a more resilient and responsive transport system.
• The report's recommendations include:
  • Building internal alignment and organisational capacity, including establishing and tracking key milestones and metrics associated with mobility integration.
  • Creating opportunities led by the MBTA for better integration and access, including identifying and operationalising MBTA stations as mobility hubs.
  • Pursuing partnerships to advance mobility integrations, including developing partnership standards that may include data sharing requirements, evidence of financial viability, and prioritisation of equity, accessibility, and other identified MBTA priorities.
  • Fostering a mobility ecosystem, including pursuing intermodal fare and service integration of public and private mobility providers into an MBTA fare payment system.

Comment

Almost all transport agencies will be working on at least some of the measures included in the mobility integration plan. However, I have rarely seen integration planning given this level of focus.

What next?

Would you benefit from developing a mobility integration plan?

Infrastructure

What Does the Elizabeth Line Evaluation Tell Us?

This week, Transport for London published the post-opening evaluation of the Elizabeth Line. It is rare to see such a public comprehensive review of a transport project. There are lessons for Transport Leaders everywhere.

Key Takeaways

• The line is now the most used rail service in the UK, with 800k journeys a day.
• The project has delivered lower journey times and less congestion across London's rail network, an improved public transport experience and improved accessibility.
• There are also early signs of positive effects on employment and regeneration, with the delivery of thousands of new homes close to stations.
• Between 2015 and 2024, 71,000 homes were built within 1km of stations, with a similar number in the pipeline.
• Shorter journey times and fewer interchanges were identified as the top two reasons for using the line.
• All customers (new and existing) save approximately 9 million minutes per average weekday across the network.
• The availability of the Elizabeth line has led to customers shifting their journeys away from other rail services, with approximately 15 per cent of demand removed from National Rail services and 20 per cent from other TfL rail services.
• Approximately 27 per cent of demand comes from former TfL Rail services, which the Elizabeth line replaced.
• According to a passenger survey, 80% of Elizabeth line users would have used another TfL Underground or Overground service if the line hadn’t been opened. Only 1% would have used the car.
• There is currently limited data available for wider mode shift impacts, including road transport.
• The line has led to an 11 per cent reduction in the time it takes to make a step-free journey, based on average public transport journeys.
• Qualitative evidence suggests instances of localised road congestion in some areas around stations.

Comment

The Elizabeth Line has clearly brought significant benefits to Londoners, and the extra capacity it has created on the network, along with land use regeneration, should increase these benefits in the years ahead.

If the passenger survey is correct, very few passengers have left their car at home in favour of the rail line. The line was never justified based on getting people out of cars. It adds to the weight of evidence that public transport on its own is necessary but not sufficient to get people out of cars.

What Next?

Are you relying solely on better public transport to get people out of cars?

Fares

The Unintended Consequences of Free Transit for Older Adults in Brazil

In the UK, transport agencies recently admitted that they had very little data on the benefits of the free bus pass for pensioners. This research from Brazil suggests that they need to gain a better understanding of its impacts, as it may not be delivering the benefits expected.

Key Takeaways

• Evidence of the effectiveness of fare subsidies in shifting users from cars to transit, particularly in low- and middle-income contexts, remains limited.
• The research analysed data from 11 household travel surveys covering seven metropolitan areas and approximately 25 % of the Brazilian population.
• By comparing individuals just above and below eligibility thresholds, the research assessed changes in trip frequency, duration by transport mode, and vehicle ownership.
• Fare-free transit eligibility increases older adults’ public transit ridership by approximately 7.1%, with transit trips becoming 7.3% shorter. However, the rise in transit use predominantly reflects substitution away from walking, which decreased by 8.2%.
• No significant impacts on car usage or vehicle ownership were found, suggesting that fare-free transit policies may have limited effectiveness in reducing automobile use.
• A fare-free policy, while potentially enhancing affordability and social inclusion for older adults, is ineffective as a standalone instrument for mitigating car-related externalities such as congestion, emissions, and traffic accidents.
• Results contrast with evidence from Seoul, South Korea, where fare-free transit for seniors reduced automobile use and ownership.
• The researchers hypothesise that urban density, transit quality, reliability, and safety are critical factors that may account for observed differences in the environmental impact of fare-free policies.

Comment

Fare-free or low-fare policies exist for older adults in many jurisdictions and are often universal. The argument for universality is usually that it improves transport systems by getting older adults to use public transport rather than drive.

However, if this is not the case and is stopping older adults from being physically active, then it may be doing harm.

We need to do more research on the costs and benefits of fare policies for older adults.

What Next?

Do you know how well discounted fares for older adults are achieving their objectives? Are you clear about the objectives?

Quick Adventures in Transport Wonderland

Here is what else I came across this week:

• For Better Public Transit, We Need Better Stories
• The Cargo Bike Revolution: How Containerisation Will Transform Urban Logistics
• 5 ways AVs could transform the UK

Blog

Should Public Transport Make A Profit or Be Free Like Health and Education?

This week, in my blog, I waded into the debate on subsidy levels for public transport.

Innovation

The State of Global Autonomous Vehicles Deployment

This website is tracking the deployment of AVs.

Tool

The 15-Minute City Revisited

This research paper presents the steps for measuring, visualising, and analysing x-minute accessibility by proximity (walking accessibility) and accessibility by public transport supply using geographic information systems (GIS).