Practical explanations of transit planning, scheduling, and operations.
5 articles
Transit Planning2 min read
School dismissal can create a large passenger load during a very short period. Instead of changing an entire route, transit agencies may use a school tripper - an additional scheduled trip designed to provide capacity exactly where and when it is needed.
Read ArticleTransit Operations2 min read
A bus is not always interchangeable with every other bus in the fleet. Passenger capacity, route geometry, block mileage, fuel type, battery range, charging needs, and other vehicle characteristics can determine which assignments are practical.
Read ArticleScheduling Explained2 min read
A bus displaying Route 40 may later become Route 50 without returning to the garage. This practice, known as interlining, can improve vehicle efficiency and passenger connections, but it can also allow delays on one route to affect another.
Read ArticleScheduling Explained3 min read
Not every mile a transit bus travels carries passengers. Deadhead movements connect garages, routes, terminals, and assignments, and although they never appear in the public timetable, they consume time, mileage, fuel, electricity, and operating resources.
Read ArticleScheduling Explained4 min read
Passengers see routes and trips, but planners must also determine what each bus does throughout the day. A block connects individual trips, deadhead movements, layovers, and vehicle requirements into one continuous operating assignment.
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