Abstract
To maintain regional transportation for dependent users, the use of buses and the quantitative increase or stabilization of bus users are necessary. It is important to convert the means of regional transportation from private vehicles to buses to reduce the environmental load. The potentiality of the bus mode of transportation must be reviewed. Therefore, based on results of research conducted at Okayama Station, we conducted investigations into the actual conditions of buses to analyze factors determining whether buses are used and whether a change over from private vehicles to buses as a means of regional transportation can be accomplished. The results acquired in this study suggest an effective policy to advance the change from private vehicles to buses. Results show a quantitative relation of bus use to age and occupation. The major results are as follows. 1) Potentiality for modal change to buse is specially influenced by age and occupation. 2) As for needs of bus service, whereas needs of under 40s are the number of lines and the accuracy of timetables, needs of over 60s(unemployed) are the reduction in burden of boarding and transfer.
