Consequences of different bus service levels. Report on the Luton Case studies

This report examines the influence of service levels on bus use focussing on walk distance to bus stop and service headway, using a one day travel diary related to a household travel survey in the Luton area carried out in 1979 by Bedfordshire County Council. Data are given on bus travel and service levels in Luton at the time of the survey, trip rates according to service level, factors affecting bus use, and the effect of walk distance at both ends of a journey. The elasticity of bus use by walk distance and service headway was analyzed by measuring walk distance, by zonal analysis, by analysis at an individual level and by studying the elasticity of walk distance at both ends of a journey. A further analysis was conducted of the time spent at destination according to service headway and walk distance to bus stop.