Arriva has used the Optibus planning and scheduling suite to redesign its network in High Wycombe. It is the first time a change to the network was wholly carried out in this way.
The changes will begin from Sunday 3 September and the operator says the timetable is simpler and offers more regular services, with a doubling of frequencies to most routes. It also says there will be better connections around the town and more co-ordinated departure times to reduce wait times.
Buses will also run later in the evenings, thanks in part to late-night buses from Reading and Henley-on-Thames being financially supported by Oxfordshire County Council.
The Optibus system has used demographic data and a year’s worth of bus tracking to offer managers visualisations of real-world running times within varying planning scenarios.
Matt King, network manager for Arriva, says: “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.”
