Measuring public transport accessibility : A quantitative analysis of the bus network in Uppsala through the prism of accessibility and mobility

Abstract: Taking accessibility into consideration is crucial when planning for public transport in a city. The bus network of the Swedish city Uppsala has undergone major changes since 2017, featuring a new circular bus line and several exchange points where commuters can change to regional and city buses easily. Measuring the accessibility and mobility of the residents of Uppsala will be the focus of this study, to detect underserviced areas and to measure the availability of buses throughout the week. Measuring accessibility and mobility were visualised primarily with the help of Geographic Information System [GIS] and data from General Transit Feed Specification [GTFS]. This is conducted through a quantitative method by comparing population data, ridership count and public transport data. The data is collected from GTFS, Region Uppsala and Uppsala University. In the results, the supply of buses in central Uppsala meets the demand of the commuters, and most importantly during peak hours. The exchange points are valuable for commuters to execute their journeys by having broader route alternatives to choose from. Nevertheless, the usage of bus stations is sufficient in most parts of Uppsala. However, there are certain areas in central Uppsala that are lacking accessibility to bus stations.