The demand for public transport: a practical guide - TRL Report TRL593 - First Published 2004

Sep 18, 2026

Uploaded by Aria

The report provides a practical, research-based guide to understanding public transport demand, combining conceptual foundations with empirical evidence. It outlines the need for a new demand-focused study, defines scope and report structure, and describes key transport modes and demand variations. Findings address fare effects, service quality and time factors, demand interactions, income and car ownership, land-use relationships, and emerging modes and policies, supported by data sources and elasticity modelling methods.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages246

Reading Time10 h 20 min

AccessFree to download

Executive Summary

1 Introduction

2 Setting the scene

3 Summary of findings

4 Data sources and methodology

5 Demand functions and elasticities

6 Effects of fares

7 Effects of quality of service: time factors

The demand for public transport: a practical guide R Balcombe, TRL Limited (Editor) R Mackett, Centre for Transport Studies, University College London N Paulley, TRL Limited J Preston, Transport Studies Unit, University of Oxford J Shires, Institute for Transport Studies, University of Leeds H Titheridge, Centre for Transport Studies, University College London M Wardman, Institute for Transport Studies, University of Leeds P White, Transport Studies Group, University of Westminster TRL Report TRL593 First Published 2004 ISSN 0968-4107 Copyright TRL Limited 2004. This report has been produced by the contributory authors and published by TRL Limited as part of a project funded by EPSRC (Grants No GR/R18550/01, GR/R18567/01 and GR/R18574/01) and also supported by a number of other institutions as listed on the acknowledgements page. The views expressed are those of the authors and not necessarily those of the supporting and funding organisations TRL is committed to optimising energy efficiency, reducing waste and promoting recycling and re-use. In support of these environmental goals, this report has been printed on recycled paper, comprising 100% post-consumer waste, manufactured using a TCF (totally chlorine free) process. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The assistance of the following organisations is gratefully acknowledged: Arriva Association of Train Operating Companies (ATOC) Confederation of Passenger Transport (CPT) Department for Transport (DfT) Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) FirstGroup plc Go-Ahead Group plc Greater Manchester Public Transport Executive (GMPTE) International Association of Public Transport (UITP) Local Government Association (LGA) National Express Group plc Nexus Network Rail Rees Jeffery Road Fund Stagecoach Group plc Strategic Rail Authority (SRA) Transport for London (TfL) Travel West Midlands The Working Group coordinating the project consisted of the authors and Jonathan Pugh and Matthew Chivers ofATOC and David Harley, David Walmsley and Mark James ofCPT. The study was overseen by a Steering Group consisting of the members of the Working Group and the following people whose contribution is also gratefully acknowledged: Chairman: Mike Walsh (DfT) Vince Christie (LGA) John Dodgson (NERA) Malcolm Fairhurst (TfL) Neil Fleming (SRA) Bernard Garner (Nexus) Phil Goodwin (UCL) Bill Harbottle (Nexus) Line Juissant (UITP) Steve Lowe (MVA) Roland Niblett (Colin Buchanan & Partners) Derek Palmer (Steer Davies Gleave) Richard Rampton (National Express) Julie Rickard (Network Rail) Elaine Rosscraig (Stagecoach) David Simmonds (David Simmonds Consultancy) Bob Stannard (SRA) Bill Tyson (GMPTE) Ian Wallis (Booz Allen Hamilton) Richard Warwick (Arriva) Andrew Wickham (Go Ahead Group plc) Nigel Wilson (MIT) Mike Woodhouse (Arriva) Howard Wyborn (EPSRC) In addition there are many people at the authors’ institutions who have contributed to the study. The authors would particularly like to acknowledge the role of Chris Nash of the University of Leeds and Martin Higginson then of TRL in helping to design and initiate the project. Others to whom thanks are due are Joyce Dargay, Phil Goodwin, Mark Hanly, Graham Parkhurst, and Emma Shane at University College London, Paula Bagchi at the University of Westminster, Tom Sanson then of the University of Leeds, Biao Huang and Fiona Raje at the University of Oxford, and Claire Vance and Helen Harper at TRL. iv CONTENTS Page Executive Summary 1 1 Introduction 3 1.1 The need for a new report on public transport demand 3 1.2 Scope of the report 4 1.3 Structure of the report 4 2 Setting the scene 5 2.1 Scope of the study 5 2.2 Transport modes 5 2.3 Demand for different forms of public transport 7 2.4 Variations in demand 7 2.5 Trends in public transport demand and provision 11 2.6 Concluding observations 15 3 Summary of findings 15 3.1 Eff

FAQs

What is the report’s main purpose regarding public transport demand?

It focuses on explaining and quantifying public transport demand using both conceptual tools and empirical evidence, with emphasis on fares, service quality, and interactions with wider factors.

Which key factors are analyzed as drivers of demand?

The report examines fare effects, quality of service (especially time factors), demand interactions, income and car ownership, land-use links, and the impact of other transport policies and new modes.

How does the report model and measure demand effects?

It discusses data sources and methodology and applies elasticity concepts, including modelling, guidelines for practical use of elasticities, and approaches to handling preference changes not reflected in elasticity values.

Sep 18, 2026

Uploaded by Aria