How bus lanes change the way people use buses

I guess I have no choice but to use the bus

I can go to work by bus everyday

Do people really use buses as a convenient transport nowadays, or just as an alternative solution when the car is unavailable or impractical for particular journeys?

In this project, we explore how implementing bus lanes could intervene to make a more reliable bus system that could perhaps turn infrequent or non-bus users to frequent bus users, and change those inhibiting pressures that stop people from utilising the service to promoting pressures that encourage people using buses. I

“ I have to walk to the bus stop.”

Time, as the measurement is more relatable and efficient, compares to kilometres, which allows people to integrate them easily into their journey.

“ Oh, the bus stop is just 10 minutes away I can do it.”

A nudge is a small change in the environment that influences behavior predictably, without removing choices or drastically altering incentives.

For instance, displaying walking time on bus lanes encourages walkability and increases bus usage without banning cars entirely.

“ I have to wait for the bus to come.” turn up and go every 15 minute

If commuters acknowledge that anytime they are at the bus stop, they have to wait at most 15 minutes, they feel proactive in their transportation choice and aren’t restricted by any time schedule.

“The bus is convenient, it takes me anywhere anytime”

15 minutes may or may not be the magic number, but the key to this is to look at it in terms of loss aversion. Behavioural science has shown that “losses loom larger”. Losses are more acutely felt than gains/positives. Playing with the frequency helps to mitigate the sense of loss it’s not as bad if I miss the bus or it doesn’t show up if the next one is in only 15 mins, rather than an hour.

“ What if the bus comes late?”

People want the bus that is on time 85% of the time rather than 50% of the time

Bus lanes separate buses from the general traffic. This priority allows buses to move more efficiently, avoiding congestion and reducing travel time, especially during peak hours.

“ Maybe from tomorrow, I will go to work by bus ”

Predictability and reliability is the key to better adoption of buses by commuters. Predictability reduces uncertainty, which also mitigates loss aversion and contributes to a modal shift from private vehicles to public transportation.