COMPARATIVE EFFICIENCY OF BUS SERVICES AND METRO SYSTEMS: GLOBAL EXPERIENCE AND UKRAINIAN REALITIES

Abstract

This article presents a comparative analysis of the efficiency of bus and metro transportation systems, focusing on Ukrainian cities and leading global metropolitan areas. The study evaluates economic, environmental, operational, and social aspects of both transport modes. Key efficiency indicators such as cost per passenger, energy consumption, CO₂ emissions per passenger-kilometer, and average travel speed are defined and quantitatively assessed. The research identifies that the most effective urban transport models are those integrating metro and bus services within a unified planning, fare, and logistics framework. Global experiences from cities like Paris, Warsaw, Istanbul, Bogotá, and Beijing are analyzed to highlight best practices in multi-modal transport integration. The article further examines Ukrainian urban contexts, illustrating the varying effectiveness of metro and bus networks in cities like Kyiv, Kharkiv, Dnipro, Lviv, and Vinnytsia. Findings suggest that while metros are more cost-effective and environmentally friendly in large, densely populated cities with high passenger flows, buses provide crucial flexibility and adaptability, especially in smaller or medium-sized cities. The study concludes with practical recommendations for transport policy and infrastructure development tailored to different urban scales, emphasizing the need for coordinated planning and modernization efforts. The results provide valuable insights for local authorities, transit operators, and urban planners aiming to enhance sustainable urban mobility in Ukraine and similar transitional economies. The efficient functioning of urban public transportation is not only a factor contributing to household cost savings and ensuring speed and convenience of movement within urban areas, but also serves as one of the foundations of urban resilience, social equity, and environmental safety. The choice between bus services and metro systems should not be viewed as a mutually exclusive alternative; rather, it should be based on the principles of strategic integration of different modes of transport. Ukrainian cities already possess the potential to draw on advanced international experience and to develop their own unique models of transportation system organization, relying on objective data, the principles of sustainable development, and a focus on improving the well-being and quality of life of the population.