Enhancing the attractiveness of public transport is a key objective for transit agencies that seek to achieve sustainable urban mobility. This study identifies the key factors that affect the attractiveness of public transport from the macroscopic and microscopic perspectives and establishes a comprehensive influence mechanism. Weighted least square-Structural equation model (WLS-SEM) is used to quantify the microscopic factors. Conclusions are summarized as follows: ① the macroscopic factors include urban spatial layout, land use pattern, geographical environment, level of economic development, demographic characteristics, public policy, and service characteristics of public transport; ② the microscopic factors include traveler’s individual characteristics, travel demand characteristics, travel characteristics and service level of public transport; ③ service level of public transport most positively impacts the attractiveness, while the travel characteristics of public transport impact it most negatively.

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.