Good practice:

Bus Services for University Students_BSUS

Two thirds of 16 thousand university students in Valladolid do not have their own car and need quality PT services adapted to their requirements. University services were limited to 2 bus lines operating in the early morning hours. Also there were areas of the city uncovered by this service. Still the Transport Company needed more insight on the modal splits, mobility patterns and habits to introduce improvements. The design of an integrated model of bus services is the main goal of this good practice promoted by the Municipal Bus Transport Company of Valladolid City (AUVASA). It is not only about creating quality services of mobility adapted to the university community but also to the centers and administrative buildings where related daily activities are developed.
The methodology is focus on three thematic aspects:1.- Means of transport used to go to University;2 - Characterization of trips to each University Campus;3.- Characterization of the traveler. The data obtained from more than 1000 surveys has contributed to shape the model. Main factors for non-using the bus, travel time, schedules and distance to “bus stops” have been reviewed to make the necessary changes. Some new routes are included to cover Law, Medicine Faculties, ... Many other stakeholders have been involved to improve mobility interoperability. Frequencies and connections with railway and bus station have been adjusted. A better integration of bicycle with bus service is under study.

The municipal budget includes grants to these public services of collective passenger transport in order to cover deficit in fares.

New special services have been created, always under permanent evaluation in order to guarantee quality and sustainability. Even though transport habits of young university students have not largely changed since at least 64% do not have a private vehicle except the bicycle, the satisfaction with the service has notably improved. Two new successful university shuttle lines are constantly adapting itineraries to the classes and timetables. Modified when decongesting ordinary lines is necessary.

A better integration and interaction between the urban bus service and bicycle use by students is a challenging issue. Nowadays, combined services bus-bicycle is under study, since cycling is the most used mean by young people. It is about not “hooking” on the car.

This project can be adopted by any PT manager to solve planning bus line services. The methodology used and the monitoring of the service allows establishing great flexibility to adapt the tracks as well as the routes to the existing needs, links with railway and bus stations, avoiding overlaps with other regular lines or allow transfers to other lines synchronizing with the new services.
The approach of a multilateral collaboration (All Public Universities, students and AUVASA -Municipal Bus Transport Company) gives a better picture of the mobility within the University community. The use of some tools such as surveys to the students to know their habits and travel decision or an accurate data processing help in order to design all kind of services.