Metropolitan Public Transport Lines in Tirana: Assessment of Public Mobility

Author: Alba Gora, Ersi Ryçi, Artan Kacani
Affiliation: POLIS University

Abstract
Public transportation systems play a crucial role in providing residents with accessible transportation options in urban areas, and buses serve as the primary mode of public transportation in the Tirana Metropolitan Area due to various factors such as infrastructure limitations and urban planning challenges. This study utilises multi-criteria analysis (MCA) to evaluate 25 bus lines within the Tirana Metropolitan Area, aiming to assess their institutional impact, environmental footprint, and socioeconomic effects. The research seeks to provide insights into how these bus routes contribute to environmental sustainability, community well-being, and institutional compliance while aligning with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). A comparative analysis with Vienna’s public transportation system, renowned for its advanced network, highlights the challenges faced by Tirana in achieving a sustainable and efficient mobility system. Geographic mapping of public transportation stations and lines in Tirana reveals discrepancies in coverage, accessibility, and effectiveness across municipalities. Through MCA, the study systematically assesses key indicators to identify the strengths and weaknesses of each bus line. Results indicate that "The Green Line" emerges as the top-performing public transport line with a rating of 9.4, while “Qyteti Studenti” is identified as the least effective line with a rating of 3.2.

Keywords: Public Transport System, Multi-Criteria Analysis (MCA), Tirana Metropolitan Area, Public Transport Evaluation.