Build a journey, not isolated stops
Every simulated resident has a home, a workplace and a shopping destination. A passenger network succeeds when it connects those activities in a reasonable amount of time. A stop can cover many buildings and still generate little use if the line does not lead somewhere residents need to go.
Use the land-use view to identify residential, commercial and industrial districts. Connect homes with jobs and shopping, then link towns through stations supported by local feeders.
Start with a direct corridor
Choose two populated areas with a simple path. Place stops where catchment reaches useful buildings without forcing vehicles into the worst intersection. Begin with a small fleet and watch actual use before increasing frequency.
Passengers consider the complete trip, including walking, waiting and transfers. One slow feeder or unreliable connection can make the whole journey less attractive than driving.
Design transfers that work
- Put feeder stops close to the station entrance.
- Keep transfer waiting time reasonable.
- Avoid sending several routes through one blocked street.
- Give each line a clear role: local collection, intercity trunk or district circulation.
- Check both directions; commuting and shopping patterns are not always balanced.
Diagnose low usage
| Symptom | First check |
|---|---|
| Empty stop in a dense area | Whether the line reaches a useful destination |
| Busy feeder, empty train | Walking connection and transfer timing |
| One direction is full | Destination pattern and return capacity |
| Buses lose to cars | Travel time, route detours and congestion |
| Town rating does not improve | Actual line usage and district coverage |
Expand with evidence
Add vehicles when people consistently wait. Add a new route when the existing service cannot cover an important origin or destination. Add a larger station when platform capacity or access becomes the limit. Expansion should answer an observed passenger problem.