From Traffic Congestion to Sustainable Mobility: A Case Study of Public Transport in Odesa, Ukraine

Response to the comments

Reviewer #1

Comments

Authors’ answer

Revisions

1

Unfortunately, I do not see any significant changes that could improve the quality of the manuscript. In my opinion, the authors made only a minor correction of the text. I still think the research done is very poor. The research does not fill any research gap in public transport.

Explained:

1) Thanks for your comment. The Introduction section mentions the dependence on urbanization and the use of public transport along with other forms of mobility. Please kindly noted the below explanations to fill the research gap in public transport:

1.2 Literature review

 A number of studies, including those by Gao, et al. [43], Jing, et al. [44], Li, et al. [45], Pazoysky, et al. [46], and Uimonen, et al. [47], have been examined for the problem of distribution of passenger traffic across the city's highway network. The starting point for assessing matrices of correspondence in their works is the number of passengers based on each vehicle entering and exiting each bus stop. The findings of Enoch, et al. [48] indicate that the local passenger transport system is about to switch to 'shared mobility'. The PT system is important in any scenario, and government plays a vital role in overseeing the transition to an era of shared mobility. According to the study by Brumercikova and Bukova [49] on the influence of selected factors on public passenger transport, the number of inhabitants, the average and minimum monthly wage, and the unemployment rate have a large effect on the number of passengers. As the number of inhabitants and the average and minimum wages increase, the number of passengers transported decreases. Conversely, when the unemployment rate is higher, the number of people carried is also higher. In terms of using people’s skills, unemployment is currently at an all-time low status, and wages are rising in [50]. Moreover, the average fuel price does not affect the number of passengers transported by PT [51]. The results of the study by Poliak, et al.  [16] showed that PT is a financial drain on public budgets. In the European Union (EU), PT does not have a favorable status in the transport modal. In the 1990s, PT in Central and Eastern Europe had a dominant position in the transport modal. Today, its modal share is declining, especially in bus transport, due to the increase in individual car traffic. In addition, the occurrence of global shocks such as COVID-19 can have long-term effects on travel behavior. In particular, the peak demand for PT is lower now than the pre-COVID situation and the effect can last for several years in the future. The effects are as lasting as possible, and in particular, the peak demand for PT is lower than when the disease has never spread. Thus, the development of additional infrastructure to reduce congestion in PT leads to a lower profit-to-cost ratio despite such lasting effects. Thereupon, research on the role of attitude change [52], the formation of new common behaviors [53], new social norms and practices [52], welfare effects, and the role of information and communication technologies is important [35, 51, 54-57] .

A review of the past studies [16, 50] indicates a research gap in assessing passenger transport potential and providing recommendations for improvement. The contribution of the present study is to evaluate the passenger transport potential and to provide some suggestions to improve it further in Odessa city. Accordingly, this study can play an effective role in providing a suitable solution to improve the transportation situation in the traffic urban areas of Odessa city and worldwide. Passenger traffic varies according to the time of day, days of the week, months and seasons of the year, the activity location system and the supply of PT services in terms of network, lines and timetables; this is the general structure of transport system as introduced by Cascetta [58]. In this regard, it is very important to consider all these factors while analyzing passenger transport potential. The purpose of the current study was to make PT better by examining passenger distribution on traffic routes and specifying characteristics of PT travel influencing individual satisfaction. According to the main objectives, this study tries to answer the following research questions:

(1) Which characteristics of traveling by PT influence individual satisfaction?

(2) To what extent do the effects of travel characteristics on various subgroups of PT users differ?

2) Furthermore, we have added the importance of this paper compared to previous studies to the Introduction section (highlighted in green) as follows:

Urbanization is continuously increasing, which possesses numerous challenges (e.g., congestion, demand for parking space, and longer commutes) in the transport system that must be met [12, 13]. Through society and its synergy, humans are experiencing increasing growth, which is the reason for such an intensive process of urbanization [14]. Public passenger transport plays an important role in the social infrastructure of a city and regions as a whole [1, 15, 16]. Currently, a sharp increase in the number of private means of transport leads to an overload of the city's street-road network, reducing the mobility of the population due to traffic congestion, increasing road safety costs, and depriving the environment [17, 18]. Therefore, the task of increasing attractiveness and increasing demand for public passenger transport is acute for transport sector designers [19]. Proper management of passenger traffic on routes enables transport companies to meet people's transport needs while making a profit [7, 15]. Travel databases can facilitate the management and development of bike-sharing solutions, allowing for the prediction of seasonal changes as well as determining the attractiveness of anchor stations [20]. Using a travel database can track customer preferences and the most frequent travel dates for accommodations or resorts. All information in a database can be applied to assist market a company.

Please see pages 2 and 3

Response to the comments

Reviewer #2

Comments

Authors’ answer

Revisions

1

The article concerns an interesting topic which is "Optimizing Bus Paths: Toward Sustainable Routes in Odessa, Ukraine". The topic of the article is very timely and in my opinion fits into the thematic scope of the journal Smart Cities.

Thanks for your comment and positive feedback.

2

Compared to the previous version of the article, it has been definitely improved in terms of editing, for which I thank you very much. In the introduction you mention the dependence of urbanization and the use of public transport along with other forms of mobility. In my opinion, it would be worth pointing out how important it is to integrate transport, both for example by creating various types of databases related to the implemented journeys. Such solutions give the opportunity to choose the right route and means of transport. Please check and refer to Support for pro-ecological solutions in smart cities with the use of travel databases – a case study based on a bike-sharing system in Budapest. In the summary, indicate the research limitations and whether you plan to continue research in this topic. Good luck!

Explained:

a)         Compared to the previous version of the article, it has been definitely improved in terms of editing, for which I thank you very much.

Thanks for your comment and positive feedback.

b)         In the introduction you mention the dependence of urbanization and the use of public transport along with other forms of mobility. In my opinion, it would be worth pointing out how important it is to integrate transport, both for example by creating various types of databases related to the implemented journeys. Such solutions give the opportunity to choose the right route and means of transport. Please check and refer to Support for pro-ecological solutions in smart cities with the use of travel databases – a case study based on a bike-sharing system in Budapest.

Thanks for your comment. In order to have more clarity the explanations about integrated transport have been added to the Introduction section (highlighted in green) based on your suggested reference “Support for pro-ecological solutions in smart cities with the use of travel databases – a case study based on a bike-sharing system in Budapest” as follows:

Urbanization is continuously increasing, which possesses numerous challenges (e.g., congestion, demand for parking space, and longer commutes) in the transport system that must be met [12, 13]. Through society and its synergy, humans are experiencing increasing growth, which is the reason for such an intensive process of urbanization [14]. Public passenger transport plays an important role in the social infrastructure of a city and regions as a whole [1, 15, 16]. Currently, a sharp increase in the number of private means of transport leads to an overload of the city's street-road network, reducing the mobility of the population due to traffic congestion, increasing road safety costs, and depriving the environment [17, 18]. Therefore, the task of increasing attractiveness and increasing demand for public passenger transport is acute for transport sector designers [19]. Proper management of passenger traffic on routes enables transport companies to meet people's transport needs while making a profit [7, 15]. Travel databases can facilitate the management and development of bike-sharing solutions, allowing for the prediction of seasonal changes as well as determining the attractiveness of anchor stations [20]. Using a travel database can track customer preferences and the most frequent travel dates for accommodations or resorts. All information in a database can be applied to assist market a company.

c)         In the summary, indicate the research limitations and whether you plan to continue research in this topic. Good luck!

Thanks for your comment. Please kindly consider that already the direction to future research was mentioned in the Conclusion as follows:

In conclusion, for future studies, researchers and policy-makers should note that the performance of the proposed paths has not been investigated. Therefore, the analysis of the program evaluation is essential for the future. Future research can follow the adopted methodology with respect to PT users in similar areas. Moreover, minimizing both passenger and operator costs as an optimization objective could be investigated in future studies.

Please see pages 2 and 14

Response to the comments

Reviewer #3

Comments

Authors’ answer

Revisions

1

this works has not yet the maturity to be published. my final decision is in-between major and rejection. The introduction is too large and the same concepts are iterated many times. 3 pages have not been enough to go to the point investigated by the authors; therefore, introduction must be written again in a more concise way, making aims and scopes and the way to reach them clear and evident from the beginning of the paper, along with the structure of the paper. The context should be part of the literature review on the subsequent paragraph.

Improved:

a)         this works has not yet the maturity to be published. my final decision is in-between major and rejection.

Thanks for your comment. We did our best to address all your comments and improve the structure and quality of the manuscript accordingly. Hope the new changes and revisions are satisfactory enough.

b)         The introduction is too large and the same concepts are iterated many times.

Thanks to your comment, we have edited the Introduction section to remove iterative concepts and the revised version is as follows:

A comprehensive and efficient transport infrastructure is crucial for well-functioning economies and the development of regions and cities [1-4]. Changes in mobility needs during the 20th century also mean changes in business conditions and an increasing population [5, 6]. In the past, people's mobility was limited to within their settlements, cities, and urban regions, whereas in recent years, it has increased to continents and intercontinental areas [7]. In recent years, the transport system has gradually influenced the behavior of passengers when using these services [5, 8, 9]. Currently, the growth of business activities and the working population has led to a rapid increase in the demand for both the number of trips and the improvement of the quality of travel [6, 9, 10]. The pressure on the transport systems and logistics of cities and urban agglomerations is increasing [1, 11]. In the 21st century, these trends are also important because of their ability to address changes in customer shopping behavior, the mobility needs of individuals, and the fundamental development of modern information and communication technologies [1, 5, 9].

Urbanization is continuously increasing, which possesses numerous challenges (e.g., congestion, demand for parking space, and longer commutes) in the transport system that must be met [12, 13]. Through society and its synergy, humans are experiencing increasing growth, which is the reason for such an intensive process of urbanization [14]. Public passenger transport plays an important role in the social infrastructure of a city and regions as a whole [1, 15, 16]. Currently, a sharp increase in the number of private means of transport leads to an overload of the city's street-road network, reducing the mobility of the population due to traffic congestion, increasing road safety costs, and depriving the environment [17, 18]. Therefore, the task of increasing attractiveness and increasing demand for public passenger transport is acute for transport sector designers [19]. Proper management of passenger traffic on routes enables transport companies to meet people's transport needs while making a profit [7, 15]. Travel databases can facilitate the management and development of bike-sharing solutions, allowing for the prediction of seasonal changes as well as determining the attractiveness of anchor stations [20]. Using a travel database can track customer preferences and the most frequent travel dates for accommodations or resorts. All information in a database can be applied to assist market a company. 

In 2007, it was statistically estimated that more than 50% of the world’s population lives in cities [21]. According to this trend of urban population growth, 6 in 10 people will live in cities by 2030, and this trend will reach 7 by 2050 [22]. Today, more than ever, issues of optimal performance, quality of life, and sustainable growth are important in cities, and traffic systems play a key role in urban development. The optimal share of the traffic system with the expansion of urban population is only achievable through the acquisition of technology, organization, adaptation, and complementarity of transport systems in meeting transport demand [23]. The development of urban transport modes has a direct and significant impact on user comfort, understanding the credibility of the system, and traffic control [15]. One of the most important factors of sustainable development in cities is access to transport systems [24, 25]. In addition to the technical and surface aspects, the economic conditions of the region, people's expectations, and the optimal solutions that are environmentally friendly and lead transport towards sustainability must be taken into account [25, 26]. To ensure road safety for people, safe infrastructure must be provided for sustainable transportation. If safe infrastructure is not possible, vehicles should be speeded down and road safety training should be provided from an early age [27]. Urban planners concerned with transport systems must have the technical knowledge and show ingenuity and innovation. In addition, the appearance of transport depends on the performance of local government units in cities [28].

Governments in large cities are paying more attention to urban passengers and improving public transport (PT). Many features have been suggested to define the quality of PT. These features may be approximately classified as physical or perceptual. Physical features are evaluated without the intervention of PT users, and assumptions are created about the effects on PT users. In contrast, PT user responses must be observed to measure perceptual features [29, 30]. The most common PT physical quality features include reliability, frequency, speed, accessibility, price, information provision, ease of transfers/interchanges, and vehicle condition. The perceptually quality features contain comfort, safety, convenience, and aesthetics. In order to improve the quality of PT services, automated urban PT control systems are designed to manage and regulate passenger transport on urban paths [1, 7, 13, 15, 31]. Automated transport is a system in which the driver of a vehicle (aircraft, train, ship, bus, car, etc.) is completely or partially replaced by an outstanding system consisting of computers, sensors, communication equipment, etc. [32]. There are significant passenger information systems at the national level across Europe (e.g., Belgium, Denmark, Germany, and France), but their cooperation is not extensive [33]. Transportation plans can increase user satisfaction in a variety of ways, including more cost-effective PT, integration of active transportation in facilities, discounts on joint bike or car memberships, support for neighborhood-based sustainable transportation infrastructure, strengthening car groups, and eliminating driving [34]. In addition, “time” is an important factor in satisfying transport users. Time spent waiting for buses is a major part of users’ total transportation time. Passengers want to make sure their bus arrives soon, preferably in less than 15 minutes [35, 36]. So, transport programs need active participation in providing accurate timing of PT. By reducing the time wasted by PT users, their motivation to use PT services increases [37].

Any traveller information system depends on a variety of information systems, from the monitoring of transport substructure networks and PT services to PT processes and regulations [25]. PT service providers using local data must be directly compatible with the national travel information system [38, 39]. Recently, in the city of Odessa, as in other cities of Ukraine, the structure of demand for passenger transport has changed significantly, due to the continuous development of the city. New transportation hubs were formed from the growth of new residential areas, shopping and entertainment centers, and tourist, sports, and business centers [40]. However, one of the important tasks of the Odessa transport network in the field of urban commuter transport is to improve the effectiveness of transport companies by forming a market for transport services and capital and creating a competent and active owner [41]. Bus, tram, and trolley networks were established in 2019 to meet the needs of Odessa residents for passenger transport in the city. In Odessa, the annual passenger traffic is estimated at more than 298.3 million [42].

1.2 Literature review

A number of studies, including those by Gao, et al. [43], Jing, et al. [44], Li, et al. [45], Pazoysky, et al. [46], and Uimonen, et al. [47], have been examined for the problem of distribution of passenger traffic across the city's highway network. The starting point for assessing matrices of correspondence in their works is the number of passengers based on each vehicle entering and exiting each bus stop. The findings of Enoch, et al. [48] indicate that the local passenger transport system is about to switch to 'shared mobility'. The PT system is important in any scenario, and government plays a vital role in overseeing the transition to an era of shared mobility. According to the study by Brumercikova and Bukova [49] on the influence of selected factors on public passenger transport, the number of inhabitants, the average and minimum monthly wage, and the unemployment rate have a large effect on the number of passengers. As the number of inhabitants and the average and minimum wages increase, the number of passengers transported decreases. Conversely, when the unemployment rate is higher, the number of people carried is also higher. In terms of using people’s skills, unemployment is currently at an all-time low status, and wages are rising in [50]. Moreover, the average fuel price does not affect the number of passengers transported by PT [51]. The results of the study by Poliak, et al.  [16] showed that PT is a financial drain on public budgets. In the European Union (EU), PT does not have a favorable status in the transport modal. In the 1990s, PT in Central and Eastern Europe had a dominant position in the transport modal. Today, its modal share is declining, especially in bus transport, due to the increase in individual car traffic. In addition, the occurrence of global shocks such as COVID-19 can have long-term effects on travel behavior. In particular the peak demand for PT is lower now than the pre-COVID situation and the effect can last for several years in the future. The effects are as lasting as possible, and in particular, the peak demand for PT is lower than when the disease has never spread. Thus, the development of additional infrastructure to reduce congestion in PT leads to a lower profit-to-cost ratio despite such lasting effects. Thereupon, research on the role of attitude change [52], the formation of new common behaviors [53], new social norms and practices [52], welfare effects, and the role of information and communication technologies is important [35, 51, 54-57].

A review of the past studies [16, 50] indicates a research gap in assessing passenger transport potential and providing recommendations for improvement. The contribution of the present study is to evaluate the passenger transport potential and to provide some suggestions to improve it further in Odessa city. Accordingly, this study can play an effective role in providing a suitable solution to improve the transportation situation in the traffic urban areas of Odessa city and worldwide. Passenger traffic varies according to the time of day, days of the week, months and seasons of the year, the activity location system and the supply of PT services in terms of network, lines and timetables; this is the general structure of transport system as introduced by Cascetta [58]. In this regard, it is very important to consider all these factors while analyzing passenger transport potential. The purpose of the current study was to make PT better by examining passenger distribution on traffic routes and specifying characteristics of PT travel influencing individual satisfaction. According to the main objectives, this study tries to answer the following research questions:

(1) Which characteristics of traveling by PT influence individual satisfaction?

(2) To what extent do the effects of travel characteristics on various subgroups of PT users differ?

c)         3 pages have not been enough to go to the point investigated by the authors; therefore, introduction must be written again in a more concise way,

Thanks for your comment. The Introduction section has been condensed by removing redundant parts and irrelevant explanations. The previous version had 1775 words, but after removing the extra parts, it now includes 1125 words.

d)         making aims and scopes and the way to reach them clear and evident from the beginning of the paper, along with the structure of the paper.

Thanks for your comment. Please kindly noted that the structure of this version has been revised by introducing the topic, its importance, a review of the literature, finding the research gap, the novelty of the study, stating the aim and research questions in the Introduction section as follows:

1. Introduction

A comprehensive and efficient transport infrastructure is crucial for well-functioning economies and the development of regions and cities [1-4]. Changes in mobility needs during the 20th century also mean changes in business conditions and an increasing population [5, 6]. In the past, people's mobility was limited to within their settlements, cities, and urban regions, whereas in recent years, it has increased to continents and intercontinental areas [7]. In recent years, the transport system has gradually influenced the behavior of passengers when using these services [5, 8, 9]. Currently, the growth of business activities and the working population has led to a rapid increase in the demand for both the number of trips and the improvement of the quality of travel [6, 9, 10]. The pressure on the transport systems and logistics of cities and urban agglomerations is increasing [1, 11]. In the 21st century, these trends are also important because of their ability to address changes in customer shopping behavior, the mobility needs of individuals, and the fundamental development of modern information and communication technologies [1, 5, 9].

Urbanization is continuously increasing, which possesses numerous challenges (e.g., congestion, demand for parking space, and longer commutes) in the transport system that must be met [12, 13]. Through society and its synergy, humans are experiencing increasing growth, which is the reason for such an intensive process of urbanization [14]. Public passenger transport plays an important role in the social infrastructure of a city and regions as a whole [1, 15, 16]. Currently, a sharp increase in the number of private means of transport leads to an overload of the city's street-road network, reducing the mobility of the population due to traffic congestion, increasing road safety costs, and depriving the environment [17, 18]. Therefore, the task of increasing attractiveness and increasing demand for public passenger transport is acute for transport sector designers [19]. Proper management of passenger traffic on routes enables transport companies to meet people's transport needs while making a profit [7, 15]. Travel databases can facilitate the management and development of bike-sharing solutions, allowing for the prediction of seasonal changes as well as determining the attractiveness of anchor stations [20]. Using a travel database can track customer preferences and the most frequent travel dates for accommodations or resorts. All information in a database can be applied to assist market a company. 

In 2007, it was statistically estimated that more than 50% of the world’s population lives in cities [21]. According to this trend of urban population growth, 6 in 10 people will live in cities by 2030, and this trend will reach 7 by 2050 [22]. Today, more than ever, issues of optimal performance, quality of life, and sustainable growth are important in cities, and traffic systems play a key role in urban development. The optimal share of the traffic system with the expansion of urban population is only achievable through the acquisition of technology, organization, adaptation, and complementarity of transport systems in meeting transport demand [23]. The development of urban transport modes has a direct and significant impact on user comfort, understanding the credibility of the system, and traffic control [15]. One of the most important factors of sustainable development in cities is access to transport systems [24, 25]. In addition to the technical and surface aspects, the economic conditions of the region, people's expectations, and the optimal solutions that are environmentally friendly and lead transport towards sustainability must be taken into account [25, 26]. To ensure road safety for people, safe infrastructure must be provided for sustainable transportation. If safe infrastructure is not possible, vehicles should be speeded down and road safety training should be provided from an early age [27]. Urban planners concerned with transport systems must have the technical knowledge and show ingenuity and innovation. In addition, the appearance of transport depends on the performance of local government units in cities [28].

Governments in large cities are paying more attention to urban passengers and improving public transport (PT). Many features have been suggested to define the quality of PT. These features may be approximately classified as physical or perceptual. Physical features are evaluated without the intervention of PT users, and assumptions are created about the effects on PT users. In contrast, PT user responses must be observed to measure perceptual features [29, 30]. The most common PT physical quality features include reliability, frequency, speed, accessibility, price, information provision, ease of transfers/interchanges, and vehicle condition. The perceptually quality features contain comfort, safety, convenience, and aesthetics. In order to improve the quality of PT services, automated urban PT control systems are designed to manage and regulate passenger transport on urban paths [1, 7, 13, 15, 31]. Automated transport is a system in which the driver of a vehicle (aircraft, train, ship, bus, car, etc.) is completely or partially replaced by an outstanding system consisting of computers, sensors, communication equipment, etc. [32]. There are significant passenger information systems at the national level across Europe (e.g., Belgium, Denmark, Germany, and France), but their cooperation is not extensive [33]. Transportation plans can increase user satisfaction in a variety of ways, including more cost-effective PT, integration of active transportation in facilities, discounts on joint bike or car memberships, support for neighborhood-based sustainable transportation infrastructure, strengthening car groups, and eliminating driving [34]. In addition, “time” is an important factor in satisfying transport users. Time spent waiting for buses is a major part of users’ total transportation time. Passengers want to make sure their bus arrives soon, preferably in less than 15 minutes [35, 36]. So, transport programs need active participation in providing accurate timing of PT. By reducing the time wasted by PT users, their motivation to use PT services increases [37].

Any traveller information system depends on a variety of information systems, from the monitoring of transport substructure networks and PT services to PT processes and regulations [25]. PT service providers using local data must be directly compatible with the national travel information system [38, 39]. Recently, in the city of Odessa, as in other cities of Ukraine, the structure of demand for passenger transport has changed significantly, due to the continuous development of the city. New transportation hubs were formed from the growth of new residential areas, shopping and entertainment centers, and tourist, sports, and business centers [40]. However, one of the important tasks of the Odessa transport network in the field of urban commuter transport is to improve the effectiveness of transport companies by forming a market for transport services and capital and creating a competent and active owner [41]. Bus, tram, and trolley networks were established in 2019 to meet the needs of Odessa residents for passenger transport in the city. In Odessa, the annual passenger traffic is estimated at more than 298.3 million [42]

1.2 Literature review

 A number of studies, including those by Gao, et al. [43], Jing, et al. [44], Li, et al. [45], Pazoysky, et al. [46], and Uimonen, et al. [47], have been examined for the problem of distribution of passenger traffic across the city's highway network. The starting point for assessing matrices of correspondence in their works is the number of passengers based on each vehicle entering and exiting each bus stop. The findings of Enoch, et al. [48] indicate that the local passenger transport system is about to switch to 'shared mobility'. The PT system is important in any scenario, and government plays a vital role in overseeing the transition to an era of shared mobility. According to the study by Brumercikova and Bukova [49] on the influence of selected factors on public passenger transport, the number of inhabitants, the average and minimum monthly wage, and the unemployment rate have a large effect on the number of passengers. As the number of inhabitants and the average and minimum wages increase, the number of passengers transported decreases. Conversely, when the unemployment rate is higher, the number of people carried is also higher. In terms of using people’s skills, unemployment is currently at an all-time low status, and wages are rising in [50]. Moreover, the average fuel price does not affect the number of passengers transported by PT [51]. The results of the study by Poliak, et al.  [16] showed that PT is a financial drain on public budgets. In the European Union (EU), PT does not have a favorable status in the transport modal. In the 1990s, PT in Central and Eastern Europe had a dominant position in the transport modal. Today, its modal share is declining, especially in bus transport, due to the increase in individual car traffic. In addition, the occurrence of global shocks such as COVID-19 can have long-term effects on travel behavior. In particular the peak demand for PT is lower now than the pre-COVID situation and the effect can last for several years in the future. The effects are as lasting as possible, and in particular, the peak demand for PT is lower than when the disease has never spread. Thus, the development of additional infrastructure to reduce congestion in PT leads to a lower profit-to-cost ratio despite such lasting effects. Thereupon, research on the role of attitude change [52], the formation of new common behaviors [53], new social norms and practices [52], welfare effects, and the role of information and communication technologies is important [35, 51, 54-57] .

A review of the past studies [16, 50] indicates a research gap in assessing passenger transport potential and providing recommendations for improvement. The contribution of the present study is to evaluate the passenger transport potential and to provide some suggestions to improve it further in Odessa city. Accordingly, this study can play an effective role in providing a suitable solution to improve the transportation situation in the traffic urban areas of Odessa city and worldwide. Passenger traffic varies according to the time of day, days of the week, months and seasons of the year, the activity location system and the supply of PT services in terms of network, lines and timetables; this is the general structure of transport system as introduced by Cascetta [58]. In this regard, it is very important to consider all these factors while analyzing passenger transport potential. The purpose of the current study was to make PT better by examining passenger distribution on traffic routes and specifying characteristics of PT travel influencing individual satisfaction. According to the main objectives, this study tries to answer the following research questions:

(1) Which characteristics of traveling by PT influence individual satisfaction?

(2) To what extent do the effects of travel characteristics on various subgroups of PT users differ?

e)         The context should be part of the literature review on the subsequent paragraph.

Your comment has been taken into consideration and therefore, the Literature review sub-section has been added to the main text to highlight the context of the study as follows:

1.2 Literature review

A number of studies, including those by Gao, et al. [43], Jing, et al. [44], Li, et al. [45], Pazoysky, et al. [46], and Uimonen, et al. [47], have been examined for the problem of distribution of passenger traffic across the city's highway network. The starting point for assessing matrices of correspondence in their works is the number of passengers based on each vehicle entering and exiting each bus stop. The findings of Enoch, et al. [48] indicate that the local passenger transport system is about to switch to 'shared mobility'. The PT system is important in any scenario, and government plays a vital role in overseeing the transition to an era of shared mobility. According to the study by Brumercikova and Bukova [49] on the influence of selected factors on public passenger transport, the number of inhabitants, the average and minimum monthly wage, and the unemployment rate have a large effect on the number of passengers. As the number of inhabitants and the average and minimum wages increase, the number of passengers transported decreases. Conversely, when the unemployment rate is higher, the number of people carried is also higher. In terms of using people’s skills, unemployment is currently at an all-time low status, and wages are rising in [50]. Moreover, the average fuel price does not affect the number of passengers transported by PT [51]. The results of the study by Poliak, et al.  [16] showed that PT is a financial drain on public budgets. In the European Union (EU), PT does not have a favorable status in the transport modal. In the 1990s, PT in Central and Eastern Europe had a dominant position in the transport modal. Today, its modal share is declining, especially in bus transport, due to the increase in individual car traffic. In addition, the occurrence of global shocks such as COVID-19 can have long-term effects on travel behavior. In particular the peak demand for PT is lower now than the pre-COVID situation and the effect can last for several years in the future. The effects are as lasting as possible, and in particular, the peak demand for PT is lower than when the disease has never spread. Thus, the development of additional infrastructure to reduce congestion in PT leads to a lower profit-to-cost ratio despite such lasting effects. Thereupon, research on the role of attitude change [52], the formation of new common behaviors [53], new social norms and practices [52], welfare effects, and the role of information and communication technologies is important [35, 51, 54-57] .

A review of the past studies [16, 50] indicates a research gap in assessing passenger transport potential and providing recommendations for improvement. The contribution of the present study is to evaluate the passenger transport potential and to provide some suggestions to improve it further in Odessa city. Accordingly, this study can play an effective role in providing a suitable solution to improve the transportation situation in the traffic urban areas of Odessa city and worldwide. Passenger traffic varies according to the time of day, days of the week, months and seasons of the year, the activity location system and the supply of PT services in terms of network, lines and timetables; this is the general structure of transport system as introduced by Cascetta [58]. In this regard, it is very important to consider all these factors while analyzing passenger transport potential. The purpose of the current study was to make PT better by examining passenger distribution on traffic routes and specifying characteristics of PT travel influencing individual satisfaction. According to the main objectives, this study tries to answer the following research questions:

(1) Which characteristics of traveling by PT influence individual satisfaction?

(2) To what extent do the effects of travel characteristics on various subgroups of PT users differ?

Please see pages 1-4

2

a few notes on language, grammar and scientific language of transportation

Explained:

Thanks for your comment. In order to have more clarity about the scientific language of transportation as well as avoid using the grammatical errors and typo, the whole manuscript has been checked and revised by a professional English editor. The certificate has been attached to the cover letter.

Please see the whole text

3

Line 137 “market” should be replaced with “modal”, since PT is public service.

Revised:

Thanks to your comment, “market” has been revised to “modal” in the following sentence:

In the European Union (EU), PT does not have a favorable status in the transport modal. In the 1990s, PT in Central and Eastern Europe had a dominant position in the transport modal. Today, its modal share is declining, especially in bus transport, due to the increase in individual car traffic.

Please see page 3

4

Line 139 “activity” is not needed.

Removed:

Thanks for your comment. The term of “activity” has been removed from the following statement:

In addition, the occurrence of global shocks such as COVID-19 can have long-term effects on travel behavior.

Please see page 3

5

Line 138-141: In addition, the occurrence of global shocks such as COVID-19 can have long-term effects on travel behavior: in particular the peak demand for PT is lower now than the pre-COVID situation and the effect can last for several years in the future.

Revised:

Thanks for your comment. This statement has been revised in the Introduction section as follows:

In addition, the occurrence of global shocks such as COVID-19 can have long-term effects on travel behavior. In particular the peak demand for PT is lower now than the pre-COVID situation and the effect can last for several years in the future.

Please see page 3

6

"Thereupon, research on the role of attitude change, the formation of new common behaviors, new social norms and practices, welfare effects, and the role of information and communication technologies is important [35, 51] "

bibliography supporting this sentence must be introduced! dealing with  SOCIAL NORMS AND USER ATTITUDES i suggest:

·         Fraboni F.; Prati G.; Casu G.; De Angelis M.; Pietrantoni L., A Cluster Analysis of Cyclists in Europe: Common Patterns, Behaviours, and Attitudes, «TRANSPORTATION», 2021, 49, pp. 591 – 620

·         De Angelis M.; Mantecchini L.; Pietrantoni L., A cluster analysis of university commuters: Attitudes, personal norms and constraints, and travel satisfaction, «INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH», 2021, 18, Article number: 4592 , pp. 1 – 15

·         Prati, Gabriele; Marín Puchades, Víctor; De Angelis, Marco; Pietrantoni, Luca; Fraboni, Federico; Decarli, Nicolò; Guerra, Anna; Dardari, Davide, Evaluation of user behavior and acceptance of an on-bike system, «TRANSPORTATION RESEARCH PART F: TRAFFIC PSYCHOLOGY AND BEHAVIOUR», 2018, 58, pp. 145 – 155

As for satisfaction, I would recommend:

-          Eboli, L.; Mazzulla, G. 2021. Customer Satisfaction as a Measure of Service Quality in Public Transport Planning, International Encyclopedia of Transportation, 2021, pp 220-224

-          Juan de Oña, 2020. The role of involvement with public transport in the relationship between service quality, satisfaction and behavioral intentions. Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Volume 142, December 2020, Pages 296-318

-          Juan de Oña, 2020. Understanding the mediator role of satisfaction in public transport: A cross-country analysis. Transport Policy, Volume 100, January 2021, Pages 129-149

-          Jaime Soza-Parra et al, 2019. The underlying effect of public transport reliability on users’ satisfaction. Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Volume 126, August 2019, Pages 83-93

Added:

Thanks to your comment, we have added all your suggested citations to mentioned paragraph (highlighted in green) and the Reference section as follows:

Thereupon, research on the role of attitude change [100, 101], the formation of new common behaviors [102], new social norms and practices [101], welfare effects, and the role of information and communication technologies is important [35, 51, 103, 104, 105, 106].

Thereupon, research on the role of attitude change [52], the formation of new common be-haviors [53], new social norms and practices [52], welfare effects, and the role of infor-mation and communication technologies is important [35, 51, 54-57] .

In References:

52.    De Angelis, M.; Mantecchini, L.; Pietrantoni, L., A Cluster Analysis of University Commuters: Attitudes, Personal Norms and Constraints, and Travel Satisfaction. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 2021, 18, (9), 4592.

53. De Angelis M.; Mantecchini L.; Pietrantoni L., A cluster analysis of university commuters: Attitudes, personal norms and constraints, and travel satisfaction, International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 2021, 18, 4592, 1 – 15.

54. Eboli, L.; Mazzulla, G., Customer satisfaction as a measure of service quality in public transport planning. International Encyclopedia of Transportation 2021, 6, 220-224.

55. De Oña, J., The role of involvement with public transport in the relationship between service quality, satisfaction and behavioral intentions. Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice 2020, 142, 296-318.

56. De Oña, J., Understanding the mediator role of satisfaction in public transport: A cross-country analysis. Transport Policy 2021, 100, 129-149.

57. Soza-Parra, J.; Raveau, S.; Muñoz, J. C.; Cats, O., The underlying effect of public transport reliability on users’ satisfaction. Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice 2019, 126, 83-93.

Please see pages 3 and 20

7

LINES 160-162: this sentence should be anticipated in the text since it is consolidated literature. In addition, the sentence must be changed into: “Passenger traffic varies according to the time of day, days of the week, months and seasons of the year, the activity location system and the supply of PT services in terms of network, lines and timetables; this is the general structure of transport system as introduced by Cascetta (2001) à the reference is: Cascetta, Ennio, (2001) – Transportation Systems Engineering: Theory and Methods – Springer doi: https://eur03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fdoi.org%2F10.1007%2F978-1-4757-6873-2&data=05%7C01%7Chossein.azadi%40ugent.be%7Cea5d7f1665314eec69eb08db0c538c3a%7Cd7811cdeecef496c8f91a1786241b99c%7C1%7C0%7C638117326229034631%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=OABl0TaxTDNIXWKuM8G9AIHuigcD2fsHQMfWJn%2BjYZE%3D&reserved=0

Revised:

Thanks to your comment, we have revised the sentence in the Introduction section and added the citation to the Reference section as follows:

In Introduction:

Passenger traffic varies according to the time of day, days of the week, months and seasons of the year, the activity location system and the supply of PT services in terms of network, lines and timetables; this is the general structure of transport system as introduced by Cascetta [58].

In References:

58.  Cascetta, E., Transportation Systems Engineering: Theory and Methods, 2001, Springer.

Please see pages 3 and 20

8

Page 9 line 368; in authors’ perspective timeliness stands for punctuality, reliability or what?!?

Explained:

Thanks for your comment. Please kindly note that timeliness means the time expectation for accessibility and availability. Thus, the concept is near to “reliability”. 

9

References within the text follow the correct sequencing from [1] to [70], then there is a sudden jump to ref [98] … page 6 line 255. What about ref between 71 and 97 .. authors should re-arrange the reference list once the new full version of the paper is ready.

Adjusted:

All the citations and references are adjusted according to the journal’s format.

10

5. conclusion

The first sentence should be re-written :“The results of this study show that the three main PT characteristics that affect users’ choice are timeliness, environmental benefit, and fuel savings. To address the first research question, it should be noted that timeliness is considered important by the majority of individuals. In addition, timeliness and environmental benefits are present in more than 95% of the priority statements. Moreover, environmental benefits and fuel savings are simultaneously important for the 95% of the statements. To address the second research question, bus users gave greater importance to timeliness and environmental benefit, while bus operators considered timeliness, environmental benefit, and fuel saving as equally important.”

Revised:

Thanks to your comment, we have revised the first paragraph in the Conclusion section as follows:

The results of this study show that the three main PT characteristics that affect users’ choice are timeliness, environmental benefit, and fuel savings. To address the first re-search question, it should be noted that timeliness is considered important by the majority of individuals. In addition, timeliness and environmental benefits are present in more than 95% of the priority statements. Moreover, environmental benefits and fuel savings are simultaneously important for the 95% of the statements. To address the second research question, bus users and bus operators considered "timeliness, and environmental benefit" and "timeliness, environmental benefit, and fuel saving" as equally important.

Please see page 13

11

Additionally, I don’t understand where shared mobility and quality have been mentioned as features capable of influencing the PT modal share in this analysis. It is true, but this seems more repeating general and consolidated knowledge to me rather than a new research finding. Plus, I woud not define “providing the right vehicles at the right place and time” as “reliability”. In transportation sciences, the definition of “reliability” is “deploying the service in the same way than it was designed and scheduled, minimizing cancellations and re-routings”. This sounds more like “consistency” , “quality design” or “designing a service according to users’ needs”.

Removed/Revised:

a)         Additionally, I don’t understand where shared mobility and quality have been mentioned as features capable of influencing the PT modal share in this analysis. It is true, but this seems more repeating general and consolidated knowledge to me rather than a new research finding.

Thanks to your comment, we prevented repeating general and consolidated knowledge and focused on our research findings, hence we have removed the below explanations on “shared mobility and quality” from the Conclusion section:

PT systems can contribute directly to a country's growth if they are efficient enough. Efficient transport systems influence the increase in national wealth and the development and growth of industries. In addition, shared mobility provides extra choices in the transport mix for the regions in which they work. There are four major paths in which shared mobility may influence humans: they can provide more spatial availability for individuals who are within a logical walking distance of the system. Shared mobility assists to decrease the use of individual passenger vehicles and get individuals to attain their destinations more effectively. Eco-friendly: with shared mobility, there is a reduction in the number of vehicles and mitigating the CO2 emissions are also reduced pollution in the environment.

b)         Plus, I woud not define “providing the right vehicles at the right place and time” as “reliability”. In transportation sciences, the definition of “reliability” is “deploying the service in the same way than it was designed and scheduled, minimizing cancellations and re-routings”. This sounds more like “consistency” , “quality design” or “designing a service according to users’ needs”.

Thanks for your comment. In order to have more clarity the following statement has been revised in the Conclusion section:

PT is a profitable business when deploying the service in the same way than it was designed and scheduled, minimizing cancellations and re-routings. Reliability plays an important role in determining the performance of a transport vehicle.

Please see page 13

12

the same concern holds for the rest of the paragraph ... the only research finding seems to be that punctuality (instead of timeliness as i suggested), environmental concern and saving fuel are the three reasons supporting PT use .. all the rest seem more the summary of renowned scientific bibliography rather than innovation and scientific findings

Removed:

Thanks for your comment. In order to have more clarity, the Conclusion section has been revised as follows:

 5. Conclusions

The results of this study show that the three main PT characteristics that affect users’ choice are timeliness, environmental benefit, and fuel savings. To address the first re-search question, it should be noted that timeliness is considered important by the majority of individuals. In addition, timeliness and environmental benefits are present in more than 95% of the priority statements. Moreover, environmental benefits and fuel savings are simultaneously important for the 95% of the statements. To address the second research question, bus users and bus operators considered "timeliness, and environmental benefit" and "timeliness, environmental benefit, and fuel saving" as equally important.

PT is a profitable business when deploying the service in the same way than it was designed and scheduled, minimizing cancellations and re-routings. Reliability plays an important role in determining the performance of a transport vehicle. One of the objectives of the Odessa National Passenger Transport Policy is to provide high-quality transport services to passengers traveling on a variety of national routes. Therefore, the analysis of the research results on the normal public passenger routes of the city has shown that increasing the number of buses on the studied routes does not fundamentally solve the problem. It is necessary to redistribute the routes, especially in the city center, in order to eliminate duplication. Allocating lanes for PT buses allows an increase in the number of transport units, without creating additional difficulties for other road users. The results will be useful for the organization of passenger transport on bus routes. The present study was conducted in response to the search for an efficient transport policy.

The main implications of the findings are of particular interest to policy-makers developing policies in the field of passenger transport, transport scientists, and transport students. Based on the main findings, the understanding of PT services is the most important determinant of PT adoption. In large cities, sustainable mobility requires a clear understanding of travel behavior, passenger needs, and expectations. Logical timetables can increase the popularity of PT systems and can be useful for the sustainability of transport systems. One of the most important PT plans is to determine bus timetables and routes. As mentioned before, this study proposes to optimize the public passenger transport network in each area and count the number of rolling stocks needed to meet the current demand. Furthermore, this study proposes the central coordination and effective control of public passenger transport. High-efficiency transportation investments increase connectivity and reduce congestion. Hence, such investments improve economic prosperity. In this regard, there are relatively simple and inexpensive recommendations to make PT more attractive to customers and make them more efficient. It is recommended to in-crease vehicle speed, optimize stop design, reduce traffic congestion, prioritize public transportation in traffic signs, and use real-time data. In general, it is recommended that future studies conduct a more comprehensive survey to obtain more accurate data and statistics with a view to designing more sophisticated models. For example, delays in bus transport have an impact on the behavior of bus users. In order to estimate the number of passengers transferring from one mode to another, we need to improve the model for the choice of transport mode. Furthermore, it should be investigated which measures can actually reduce bus delays and how the delays can be quantified. In order to improve bus services in congested areas, the mixed traffic lanes and the exclusive bus lanes can be used together.

Considering the individual satisfaction of PT, and to address the first research question, we have identified several measures (e.g., improving the punctuality and quality of bus services) that require participation in transport programs. Therefore, the actions should be implemented in accordance with the user section and also in relation to the trips, and this is the responsibility of the local transport planners. To address the second research question, it should be noted that the results of this study can be beneficial and used by transport operators to ensure that the quality of their services meets passengers’ expectations. In conclusion, for future studies, researchers and policy-makers should note that the performance of the proposed paths has not been investigated. Therefore, the analysis of the program evaluation is essential for the future. Future research can follow the adopted methodology with respect to PT users in similar areas. Moreover, minimizing both passenger and operator costs as an optimization objective could be investigated in future studies.

Please see pages 13 and 14