Planning and scheduling of buses for operational efficiency: a case of Nagpur

Abstract

Over the years, urban planning and transportation strategies have primarily focused on enhancing the traffic systems to cater to private vehicles . With an increasing number of people relying on private cars, road networks become congested, resulting in longer travel durations, financial losses due to delays, and declining air quality. On the other hand, public transportation systems are becoming a vital solution to tackle these challenges (Wang 2022). Well-designed and seamlessly integrated public transit networks help decrease the number of vehicles on the roads, easing congestion and reducing environmental harm. However, public transit projects often struggle with profitability and efficiency due to systemic, economic, and operational constraints, further complicated by multiple stakeholders with differing objectives (Perumal 2019). Despite their potential, public transit networks often face operational inefficiencies that affect their reliability and attractiveness to commuters.The study examines the city bus system of Nagpur, aiming to identify the underlying challenges and their impacts on ridership. Key parameters such as service supply, bus frequency, variability in headways, system coverage, and operational disruptions are analyzed to understand their impact on travel reliability. The primary objective of this study is to analyze these challenges and develop a model aimed at improving bus scheduling and operations to enhance ridership. By identifying the root causes of delays and evaluating their influence on passengers, the research seeks to propose a model for optimizing fleet deployment, crew management, and overall scheduling efficiency. An improved scheduling system can minimize waiting times, reduce operational disruptions, and create a more reliable transit experience for commuters. By enhancing service reliability and efficiency, the proposed model will encourage greater ridership, positioning public transport as a more attractive and sustainable alternative to private vehicles, ultimately contributing to improved urban mobility. Keywords: Public Transport Planning; Ridership; Fleet scheduling; Demand and Supply; Waiting Times; Bus frequency