New Model Targets Slow Bus Routes

Transports Metropolitans de Barcelona (TMB) unveiled a new analytical model on Tuesday 3rd November 2026 during the first day of the Tomorrow Mobility Congress (TMWC) to identify where buses lose the most time across the city. The tool aims to improve commercial speed, a key factor in operator efficiency, resource use, and passenger satisfaction. Commercial bus speeds in major European cities range from 11 km/h in Paris to 20 km/h in Amsterdam, influenced by urban density. TMB's new methodology is designed to pinpoint the exact sections and stops where delays occur, enabling targeted improvements.

Two Key Indicators Drive Analysis

TMB's model focuses on two core metrics: inter-stop speed, which measures how long a bus takes to travel between consecutive stops, and dwell time, the duration a vehicle remains stationary for passengers to board and alight. Using these, the system establishes reference values for each route, direction, or group of lines. The model then identifies segments and stops with significant deviations from these benchmarks, prioritising those with the highest potential for time savings. These 'analysis units' will guide future interventions such as changes to traffic light sequencing, stop placement, road layout, or service operations.

The goal is to provide a transparent, repeatable, and data-driven tool for decision-making, maximising investment effectiveness and advancing towards more competitive, reliable, and attractive public transport.

Monitoring and Measuring Impact

After improvements are implemented, the system will evaluate actual time savings, feeding data back into continuous network monitoring. This closed-loop approach aims to create a permanent cycle of diagnosis, action, and verification. The tool is part of TMB's broader innovation push at the TMWC, which runs from 3rd to 5th November 2026. The initiative supports the city's objective of making public transport faster and more reliable for residents and visitors.

Sources: La Ciutat, TMB, diaricatalunya.cat.