A dynamic network data envelopment analysis cross-efficiency evaluation on the benefits of bus transit services in 33 Chinese cities

ABSTRACT

Our objective in this paper is to evaluate the benefits of bus transit. To obtain the more accurate and highly discrimination results, this study establishes an evaluation indicator system from a stakeholder perspective and proposes a novel combined method consisting of dynamic network data envelopment analysis, cross-efficiency evaluation, and Shannon entropy aggregation method. An empirical study of bus transit systems in 33 key Chinese cities from 2016 to 2019 is provided. The results show that the benefit of bus transit in most key cities was ineffective. In contrast to production efficiency, focusing on improving service effectiveness is more conducive to improving the benefits of bus transit. Small cities have higher benefits than large cities. Meanwhile, the benefits of bus transit vary geographically. This evaluation outcome provides a more appropriate basis for decision-making related to the benefits of public transit services, as well as for operational and management studies.

KEYWORDS:

• China
• bus transit
• benefit evaluation
• dynamic network data envelopment analysis
• neutral cross-efficiency evaluation
• Shannon entropy

Acknowledgments

The authors thank the managers and respondents at the sector of PT for providing data and information that were essential for this work. This paper is largely supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 71901196, 72274178), Major Humanities and Social Sciences Project of Universities in Zhejiang Province, China (Grant No. 2018QN028), and MOE (Ministry of Education in China) Project of Humanities and Social Sciences (Grant No. 19YJCZH238).

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

The work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China [71901196]; National Natural Science Foundation of China [72274178]; MOE (Ministry of Education in China) Project of Humanities and Social Sciences [19YJCZH238]; Major Humanities and Social Sciences Project of Universities in Zhejiang Province, China [2018QN028]