{"id":20080,"date":"2023-05-24T09:00:52","date_gmt":"2023-05-24T07:00:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.ptvgroup.com\/?p=20080"},"modified":"2025-09-30T09:03:59","modified_gmt":"2025-09-30T07:03:59","slug":"ptv-lines-or-ptv-visum-to-plan-public-transport","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.ptvgroup.com\/en\/modeling-planning\/ptv-lines-or-ptv-visum-to-plan-public-transport\/","title":{"rendered":"Should I use PTV Lines or PTV Visum to plan public transport?"},"content":{"rendered":"

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=””]As a public transport planner or mobility planner, you probably know PTV Group\u2019s software for public transport planning: The more familiar <\/span>PTV Visum<\/a>, and the recently launched <\/span>PTV Lines<\/a>.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

But you may have wondered which software is the right one for your needs \u2013 PTV Lines or PTV Visum? Below is a quick guide to answer your questions on this topic.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

What <\/span>are PTV Lines and PTV Visum?<\/span><\/h2>\n

[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1\/2″][vc_single_image image=”20093″ img_size=”500×500″][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/2″][vc_column_text css=””]PTV Lines<\/span><\/b> is a new web-based tool for <\/span>service planning<\/span><\/i> of new and existing public transport lines. Using PTV Lines does not require prior knowledge of complex planning software.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

With this new web tool, planners can <\/span>quickly test measures<\/span><\/a> for network design and timetables and understand their effects on the service. It\u2019s easy to set up and edit stops, line routes and timetables and to visualize ideas. You get instant feedback of the estimated operational costs and can intersect your supply with your GIS data.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>PTV Visum<\/span><\/b>, on the other hand, is a modeling software for comprehensive and <\/span>strategic<\/span> public transport planning<\/span><\/i><\/a>. With modeling by PTV Visum, users gain insight not only about planning of lines and schedules, but also many other aspects of public transport work.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

PTV Visum is not limited to modeling just public transport modes. Being a multimodal planning suite, it can analyze many other modes of mobility, including cars, bicycles, ride\u2013sharing services, and more \u2013 and the interaction between them.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1\/2″][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

Who should use each software?<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

PTV Lines<\/span><\/b> is ideal for public transport service planners, working for PT operators or the public authorities responsible for PT services. To use PTV Lines, planners do not need prior knowledge of complex modeling software.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

PTV Visum<\/span><\/b> is used by a variety of mobility industry stakeholders. These can be, but not limited to, the strategic planners of public transport services, operators, authorities, decision-makers, investors, and procurement officers.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/2″][vc_empty_space height=”120px”][vc_single_image image=”20102″ img_size=”500×500″][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1\/2″][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

Use cases of PTV Lines and PTV Visum<\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n

[\/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”20109″ img_size=”500×500″][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/2″][vc_empty_space height=”92px”][vc_column_text css=””]<\/p>\n

PTV Lines<\/span><\/b> is great for planning seasonal timetables, but also in cases of temporary changes to the public transport network. For example, when a major event or a construction site <\/span>requires a detour<\/span><\/a> of a nearby bus line; or when operators want to adjust services due to connection optimization.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

With <\/span>PTV Visum<\/span><\/b>, public transport professionals can model and analyze scenarios of many use cases. Among them:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n