Arriva says it has redesigned a simpler, more frequent bus network for High Wycombe using Optibus, the first time the planning and scheduling software has been used to wholly design a network. Utilising a rich source of demographic data and historic bus tracking, Arriva says it allowed prompt visualisation of real-world running times within varying network planning scenarios.
The operator says that from 3 September, passengers will see up to a doubling of frequencies amongst other enhancements to most bus routes, along with better connections around the town, which will enable people to change at the bus station to more frequent buses.
Arriva says it has co-ordinated departure times so that onward journeys are simple and straightforward, with shorter waiting times, while buses will also run later in the evenings, with additional late-night buses from Reading and Henley-on-Thames financially supported by Oxfordshire County Council. The new network is now fully hub-and-spoke, with co-ordinated clockface departure times from the town’s bus interchange.
Network Manager for Arriva Matt King said: “We’re introducing a substantially improved bus network for High Wycombe, as part of our ongoing commitment to be the most environmentally sustainable transport option of choice for everyone in the town. We’ve analysed how and when customers use our buses currently, as well as looking at emerging and changing travel trends – so we’re bringing more buses, more often for most areas as our network grows and thrives.
“The conversion to a hub-and-spoke model with pulse scheduling reflect these changing travel patterns, promoting seamless connectivity across the town on more routes rather than on a small number of select corridors. This also allows for a greater flexibility of bus and driver resource.
“Improving timekeeping is a key tenet for future user confidence in any bus network, so we’ve compiled a year’s worth of comprehensive point-to-point running time data, customer recommendations and local feedback into realistic schedules allow us to better plan our network to become more resilient. This will transform and optimise our performance – all translated in a more user-friendly way within the Optibus platform.
“Our customers will benefit from boosts in frequency, better on-time performance, great value fares, all within a more efficient package. That’s fantastic – and we’re sure that this will be some welcome news for those who has been wanting to get back on board and save money.”
Arriva is also providing printed timetables made available on buses and at High Wycombe’s bus station, as well as other local outlets in the town centre.
