Race Against Time: How Bus Transport Stacks Up Against Private Cars

Abstrak

This paper compares the IVT (in-vehicle time) parameter and travel distance for public bus transport (which forms the core of the public transport system) and private cars in the Metropolis GZM (Upper Silesian and Zagłębie Metropolis) in Poland. Analysis was conducted on three datasets: all metropolitan lines, main metropolitan lines, and feeder metropolitan lines. The results show that for all metropolitan lines, public transport achieves an average IVT parameter value about twice as high as private transport. The main metropolitan lines are characterized by relatively high competitiveness compared to individual transport. However, the competitiveness of public transport decreases with distance traveled. It is also important to note that these lines primarily connect major points in the city and other factors can significantly affect its competitiveness, such as waiting time and overcrowding during peak hours. This article is directed towards decision-makers in urban transport management, urban activists, public transport passengers, city authorities, and scientists interested in urban logistics and the effectiveness of public transport.