14% increase in public transport users in Vitoria-Gasteiz
On October 30 Vitoria-Gasteiz changed its entire public transport system. The previous network was based on 17 bus lines, with 20-30 minute frequencies and long routes through neighbourhoods.
The new system has nine new lines with 10 minute frequencies, direct routes and more complete coverage of the entire city and newly built neighbourhoods. As an added incentive to use the system, the citizens of Vitoria-Gasteiz were allowed travel for free for the first week.According to the statistics recorded by the e-ticketing system on-board public transport, the number of users for the new network reached 214,000 in the two weeks following the free trial. The new network of routes has had a significant increase in passengers, with the demand for the service increasing by 53,933 passengers, or 14.51%.Commercial speed has been improved by 14.5% compared to before the network was launched within the Sustainable Mobility and Public Space Plan. The average frequency has increased from 15.73 to 10.77 minutes, with a 31.54% improvement. Only lines 3 and 9 and tram lines have an interval of 15 minutes, which is reduced to 7.50 minutes in the common points of both sets of lines.Furthermore, the new bus network has improved capacity by 38.09%. Going from 57,135 to 78,896 places per kilometre offered.
Author: Juan Carlos Escudero
