Editorial: advanced methods for public transport system management

As the world is pressed with energy crises and environmental concerns, to address the mobility needs in urban areas, there is a resurgence of interest in encouraging more wide-spread use of public transport in lieu of private cars. The benefits of public transport are many: increased mobility for all, reduced car dependence and consequential needs for highway expansions. The success of this proposition, however, hinges largely on whether public transport offers attractive alternatives to private car usage. It is ideal if public transport services are financially sustainable, with affordable fares, and expedient quality. Despite many decades of intense effort, methods for public transport planning and operations are still in their infancy of development and refinement, as evidenced by the fast pace of developments in both theory and practice.