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Title: Designing Shuttle Services for Niche Markets
Accession Number: 01157070
Record Type: Component
Availability: American Public Transportation Association 1666 K Street, NW, Suite 1100 Abstract: Increasingly non-traditional transit connections between existing transit systems and specific destinations are being sought, for example a connection between a train station and a corporate park. This paper focuses on designing shuttle services for these niche markets that can include: employer shuttles from transit stations, business campus shuttles, and commuter shuttles to transit stations. Other niche markets can include medical and educational campuses or a shuttle connecting a residential development to a train station. Experience has shown that there are very specific characteristics about the market for these services that needs to be clearly understood, and with the right background work and planning that very successful niche services can be established. The other interesting feature about these services is that they are most often being initiated or developed by entities that have little or no background in providing transit services. This creates unique challenges when transit agencies are part of the process. Because of the unique characteristics of these services and the non-traditional sponsors of these services, transit agencies must take a different approach from their traditional planning if they are to be a part of the solution to these niche services. Typically the sponsors / funders that are responsible for implementing the shuttle service have little familiarity with transit and how it works. The work has shown that creating an effective shuttle service requires much more than drawing a line connecting two or more points. Market research plays a critical role in the design of these services. The markets and their unique characteristics must be understood to provide the most effective shuttle service. Once the unique characteristics of the market are identified, the service can be designed. With this type of service, funding often comes through a partnership or sponsorship by the end user, whether it is a corporate campus, a business park, or a housing development. The amount of funding is often known at the outset. This paper will discuss the steps required to design effective shuttle services for niche markets along some funding strategies. These steps include market research and service design. Two case studies from the Chicago area will be discussed included: a new shuttle operating from two new residential developments to a commuter rail station and the redesign of a campus shuttle service funded by a major Chicago area employer. Some background from previous work on feeder buses to Metra commuter trains is also included.
Monograph Title: Monograph Accession #: 01157862
Language: English
Corporate Authors: American Public Transportation Association 1666 K Street, NW, Suite 1100 Transportation Research Board 500 Fifth Street, NW Authors: Deeter, LawrenceOtte, LynnPagination: 6p
Publication Date: 2009
Conference:
Bus & Paratransit Conference & International Bus Roadeo/Bus Rapid Transit Conference
Location:
Seattle WA, United States Media Type: CD-ROM
Features: Photos
TRT Terms: Uncontrolled Terms: Subject Areas: Design; Passenger Transportation; Public Transportation; I20: Design and Planning of Transport Infrastructure
Files: TRIS, TRB
Created Date: May 10 2010 4:37PM
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