About 25% of all car trips could be made by public transport. For about half of these trips the car is favoured because of lack of information about the public transport alternative. Moreover, inadequate information often causes dissatisfaction, especially in case of delays and disturbances. Based on an analysis of travel information prerequisites, elements of a high quality information system for public transport trips are presented, including means of information transfer, media for data exchange and the organisation of information supply. The information system and the financial consequences are elaborated for the Delft (Netherlands) example. A dynamic travel information system is only useful in combination with a vehicle location and arrival moments precalculation system. Such a combined system is expensive but necessary for a substantial quality improvement. (A)
Abstract