Cross-Case analysis of bus operation in different context: Oviedo (Spain) and Tangier (Morocco)

Abstract

One of the main problems in urban areas is the steady growth in car ownership and traffic levels. Therefore, the main challenge to reach sustainable and liveable cities is focused on a shift of the demand for mobility from cars to collective means of transport. For this purpose, buses are a key element of the public transport system. This paper presents a cross-case analysis, from a diagnostic through big data management of the urban bus operation in Oviedo (Spain) and Tangier (Morocco). For this aim, several performance indicators (KPIs) were estimated for both networks and services. In the evaluation of the service the KPIs were grouped in five categories considering the consumption of resources (inputs) and the results or production obtained (outputs). Once the KPIs were estimated, they were compared to minimum requirements needed to satisfy demand depending on the cities characteristics (population, cover area, alternative transport systems). Finally, a qualitative comparison of the overall performance of the two networks was done. Results showed that even though at first sight, the service characteristics might seem different: Tangier´s network is made up of 44 lines, with a length of 795 km and a fleet of 192 buses. While Oviedo´s network has 16 lines with an extension of 205.9 km and a fleet of 67 buses there are several common indicators like the monthly average of users in urban lines that rounds 125,000 passengers, a capture ratio of 40 persons per bus, and a similar bus availability every 1000 inhabitants (0.22 and 0.30). However, it was possible to observe some gaps in the system functioning, mainly in Tangier´s network which overall performance is worse than Oviedo´s in most of the analysed aspects.