Evaluating Quality of Service on Public Bus Transportation and Improvement Strategy in Addis Ababa: (A Case Study on Sheger Mass Transport Enterprise)
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Date
2018-03
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
AAU
Abstract
In cities like Addis Ababa, an increase in size and number of population generate increased travel
demand. Currently, different transit agencies are trying to meet the travel demand in the City;
however, there is a concern on the quality of services provided.
The aim of this study is to evaluate the quality of services of the public bus transportation system
on three major routes of the Sheger Mass Transport Enterprise (SMTE) in Addis Ababa and come
up with improvement strategies that would increase the quality of services. The study were done
using a case study of Sheger Mass Transport Enterprise that is operating regularly along three
major routes during the study period. Namely: Shiromeda - Mexico (Route 1); Mexico - Jemo 2
(Route 2) and Piasa - Saris Abo (Route 3).
Both primary and secondary data collection mechanisms were used during the study. Primary data
were obtained through observation and on-board field measurements. The on-board data collection
were undertaken manually in two periods. The quality of service analyses were done by using
objective measures represented by numerical value. The Highway Capacity Manual (HCM)
provides procedures in calculating transit quality of service measures from the passengers’ pointof-views
at
transit
stops
(service
frequency
and
passenger
loading)
and
route
segments
(hours
of
service
and
service
reliability).
The
study
also
utilized
the
Transit
Capacity
and
Quality
of
Service
Manual
(TCQSM)
multimodal
level
of service
(LOS)
analysis
and
Excel
Spreadsheet.
The findings of study revealed that the variation of headways and passenger loading vary
depending on the period and direction of travel. The study also demonstrated that on average the
existing transit LOS score regarding Route 1 and Route 3 were 3.73 and 4.00 respectively.
Therefore, the LOS grade for Route 1 and Route 3 are D on most segments; whereas Route 2 has
an average existing transit LOS score of 3.03. The LOS grade on Route 2 was found to be C on
most segments. In view of the foregoing, the study developed improvement strategies and
recommendation that would be helpful for transportation policy makers and public bus
transportation service providers in the city of Addis Ababa.
Description
Keywords
Public transport, Quality of service, HCM, TCQSM, Sheger Mass Transport Enterprise