The University of Surrey has published a study (April 2025) that found that better use of Digital Technology could increase usage of buses by 30%.
Simple innovations such as e-ticketing, mobile applications have been identified by the study as a way to boost use of bus services. These technologies all exist but with inconsistent implementation.
The study discovered, according to Dr Wolfgang Garn one of the report authors, that "passengers want a seamless, hassle-free experience. If paying for a bus journey feels complicated or outdated, people are more likely to opt for driving instead. By introducing smart ticketing and contactless payments, alongside mobile apps that provide real-time updates, we can not only make bus travel easier but also more attractive. This isn’t just about technology, it’s about fundamentally changing how people view public transport.”
The study used advanced machine learning methods to create predictive models from survey responses connducted in the south of england. These models enabled the researchers to identify the factors that most strongly influence bus usage decisions. By simulating improvements in passenger sentiment, such as increased satisfaction with payment methods, the methods could be used to predict how these changes may alter people’s willingness to use buses.
The paper has been published in Public Transport.
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