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Gothenburg is situated on the west coast of Sweden and is the major harbour of Scandinavia. The region has around 750 000 inhabitants. Main industries are shipping and freight, pharmaceutical and biotechnical industries and the headquarters and factory of Volvo.
Over the past years, bus lines have been gaining in popularity in Gothenburg and buses have become an inherent part of urban life. This positive result for buses, but also for the whole public transport network, is the consequence of great efforts to respond better to users' needs. The implementation of the "Trunk Bus System" in which EBSF participates through the Use Case of Gothenburg is taking part in this new wave of interest in public transport.
The "Trunk Bus System" Based on the tram mode, provide buses with: dedicated lanes, boarding through all doors, high standart bus stops, real time information and ease fare payment.
Use Case Objetives
The EBSF Use Case focuses on improving services and access. Special consideration is given to the requirements of people with limited mobility and sensory ability, senior citizens and women and children.
The EBSF Volvo prototype bus, with a centred driver workplace offers new internal layout possibilities boosting the comfort of passengers, improving the accessibility of all and reducing dwell time at stops. Drivers feel safer and have better view of the traffic situation.
Description of work
The User Case focuses on raising the commercial speed for bus routes by reducing dwell time at the stops. From December 2011 to January 2012 a Volvo prototype, with improved internal design, will run on one of the Trunk Routes to see what impact this has on boarding times.
There will be a special focus on the driver's role at stops. Along the UC-line a curved 17 cm high curb stone is used on all bus stops. This in order to make the gap between the platform and bus floor as small as possible. By lowering the bus at the stop, a small difference of 5 cm of height is still remaining. The curved lower part of the curb stone gives the driver the possibility of putting the wheels against the stone without damaging the wheels or the tires.
The bus will be designed with a centred driver's cabin by placing the front wheels in the front corners of the bus and positioning the driver between them in the centre.
To increase accessibility there will be tests with:
- Driver training aspects
- Visual guidance for drivers
- Guidance for passengers (prepare for boarding)
- Height and shape of curb stone
- Internal design of buses
Evaluations of what the effect will be of not letting the driver sell tickets, both for security and dwell time reasons. Alternative ticketing will be:
- Ticket vending machines on large stops
- Ticket machines for credit card inside bus
- Mobile phone ticketing
- Pre ticketing at bus stop
Watch the video about Gothenburg Use Case
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Project Development 