Operational perspective Nick Hill Commercial Development Manager Metrobus

Metrobus Operating partner - Metrobus Go-Ahead Group company Formed in 1983 and acquired by Go-Ahead in 1999 Around 430 buses Around 1, 400 staff 75% in London, 25% outside 3 depots – Orpington – Croydon – Crawley

Operator role Became partner in 2000 Sole operating partner since 2001 Role in development of system QBP – fairly loose, goodwill Funding of buses Revenue risk – No access charges – 100% commercial on main routes in West Sussex

Conflict Existing operator of Crawley bus network Marketing message – ‘better than bus’ Other routes – Bus lanes? – Different stops? – TLP? Route network – Impact on other services • consultants – Feeder buses? • Croydon experience

Route network Route 10 launched August 2003 – Completion of phase 1 works – Estates – Crawley – Manor Royal – Gatwick Airport – 8 PVR, every 10 mins at most times 24 hour service introduced - May 2004 – Commercial, normal fares, every 30 mins

Route network Route 20 launched August 2005 – Completion of phase 3 works – Three Bridges & Horley – 5 PVR, every 20 mins at most times Route 10 increased to every 8 mins - May 2008 – 11 PVR

Route network Route 100 added to Fastway family – May 2008 – Existing route upgrade – Redhill & East Surrey Hospital – 8 PVR, nonguided Current total requirement – 24 plus 3 spares

Priority Broadfield Stadium Povey Cross Guideways and bus lanes Slip roads not served by buses TLP Other areas

Route flexibility BRT advantage over fixed rail Route 20 planned to follow same route as route 10 Strong demand from south Broadfield Last minute change of route at 20 launch in 2005

Guideway vs bus lane Alleged guideway benefits – Smoother ride? – Less land take? – Docking? – Self-enforcing? – Sexy? Guideway issues – entry speed – guidewheels

The Buses User groups given opportunity to choose bus and spec Scania Omnicity – 12 m routes 10 & 20, 10 m route 100 Guidewheels on 12 m buses Dual door on 12 m buses Commitment for buses to be less than five years old – Original fleet replaced and cascaded Part leather seating with FW moquette Little demand for air con

Real time information Cost – Off-bus – FW project with later add on s 106 – On-bus – Metrobus Passenger benefits – Displays at halts, stations, bus station, etc

Real time information Passenger benefits (cont) – Via internet – Via mobile phones – internet, SMS and apps – On bus screens – Disruption information

Real time information Operational benefits – Control centre

Real time information

Real time information Operational benefits (cont) – Mobile devices – Performance monitoring – Historical data = improved schedules

Real time information Reliable – Average over 95% tracking – Good partnership working • West Sussex CC • Supplier – ACIS • Metrobus (financial input)

Fares and tickets Simple, single only fare structure – In Crawley/Horley = £ 1. 70 or £ 1. 20 short hop Area Metrorider ticket valid on all buses Gatwick Travelcard Local business sales Offbus sales – web and Pay. Point Railbus, then Plusbus Freezone Move to ITSO smartcard – Multi-modal travelcard

Measure of success: Journey time savings Many time savings – priority – new links – more frequent services Examples – Bewbush to town centre: 23% reduction – Broadfield to Crawley: 26% reduction – Town Centre to heart of industrial area: 50% reduction – Gatwick Airport to heart of industrial area: 26% reduction Protect time savings

Measure of success: Patronage Two patronage targets set out in original scheme: Target 1 – 4000 passengers a day in 2004 – Actual • 4, 417 in January • 5, 868 in December Target 2 – Nearly 9000 passengers a day in 2008 – Actual • 9, 016 in January • 10, 455 in July – Despite new developments not built

Measure of success: Patronage (cont) Crawley network growth – 74% between 2001 -2008 Gatwick local staff bus mode share – 5% in 1997 – 30% in 2009

Measure of success: Passenger surveys every two years Highlights from 2008: – 97% satisfied with punctuality – 93% satisfied with reliability – 86% satisfied with cleanliness of buses – 89% agreed that ‘the bus is comfortable to travel on’ – 96% satisfied with the service overall – 8% had previously travelled by car – 23% have access to a car

Still better than other routes? When launched, better than other routes – New buses – RTPI – Higher frequency – Priority Improvements mean other routes nearly caught up – Investment in fleet – 100% low floor – RTPI on all buses – Enhanced frequencies – Use of Fastway bus lanes and TLP Inspired by Fastway?

Brand Developed strong local brand, more than normal bus route

Room for improvement? How could Fastway have been better? ? – – – – Removal of roundabouts? Too many new traffic signals? More bus gates? More of budget spent on bus lanes? Buy-in for ‘green waves’? Shelter consistency? Phasing?

Future Network growth – Only on basis of new priority (demand for route conversions) – New housing developments. • e. g. Kilnwood Vale More priority Improved interchanges at Gatwick and Three Bridges Service enhancements Smartcard… coming soon!

Is it BRT or BRT Lite? Essential features are: (Source: BRTuk Handbook 2010) – Significant segregation from other forms of traffic – Priority over other vehicles in mixed traffic situations – Priority at traffic signals and priority over other traffic – High quality, safe, secure and accessible stations – High quality, smooth riding, distinctive and attractive vehicles – Easy accessibility – Vehicles and infrastructure must be environmentally friendly – High frequency, limited stop services – Efficient and user friendly ticketing

Is it BRT? (cont) – High standards of information provision – Real time information – Good integration with other transport modes – Distinctive branding and marketing – Clear and understandable system