00602751

Component

http://onlinepubs.trb.org...trr/1990/1266/1266-012.pdf

https://scholar.google.co...ekun&publication_year=1990

Rail and bus modes have frequently been compared using theoretical models of hypothetical cities. Because the results of such studies are easily influenced by the author's attitudes toward different modes, there is a need for comparisons of actual transit systems. Two transit systems, rail and bus, serve the New Jersey suburbs of Philadelphia. The conditions under which they operate are generally the same, but the two systems differ greatly. The Lindenwold (PATCO) Line, a single 14.2-mi-long (22.8-km) radial rail rapid transit line with 13 stations, offers high-quality service, including high speed, comfort, reliability, and a strong image. New Jersey Transit (NJT) operates a 562-mi (904-km) network of 26 bus routes on streets, arterials, and freeways, but with low service frequency. Whereas the Lindenwold Line required a substantial investment NJT buses use existing facilities. The Lindenwold Line attracts 43% more passengers and has a 44% higher operating ratio in spite of its 20 to 30% lower fares. These findings show that concentrated transit service can be more capable of attracting commuters than flexible services that operate on an extensive but low-frequency network. This type of high-quality, intensive service (by rail or bus) also has a much greater potential to influence economic development than the low-investment, extensive bus networks typical for many suburban areas. The results of this study refute the statements that low-investment buses offering flexible services can better satisfy transportation needs in low-density suburban areas than rail systems with limited networks and that new rail transit is not economically justified in most automobile-oriented North American cities. Modern, economically designed rail systems require a considerably higher investment than buses, but they attract many more automobile drivers and other passengers, have superior operating economy, and exert a much stronger positive impact on the communities they serve.

This paper appears in Transportation Research Record No. 1266, Urban Public Transportation Research 1990. Distribution, posting, or copying of this PDF is strictly prohibited without written permission of the Transportation Research Board of the National Academy of Sciences. Unless otherwise indicated, all materials in this PDF are copyrighted by the National Academy of Sciences. Copyright © National Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved

01411029

p. 123-138

1990

Transportation Research Record

0309050189

Figures (6) ; References (11) ; Tables (3)

Alternatives analysis; Bus transportation; Economic development; Impacts; Level of service; Operating ratios; Rapid transit; Ridership; Suburbs

Lindenwold Line; New Jersey Transit

Economics; Highways; Motor Carriers; Planning and Forecasting; Public Transportation

TRIS, TRB

Dec 31 1990 12:00AM

• ACCURACY IN TRANSIT DRUG TESTING: A PROBABILISTIC ANALYSIS (WITH DISCUSSION AND CLOSURE)
• ALTERNATIVE FORMS OF MOTIVE POWER FOR SUBURBAN RAIL RAPID TRANSIT
• BENEFITS TO BUS OPERATORS OF INTRODUCING A COMPREHENSIVE LIFE CYCLE COSTING SYSTEM: A PRACTICAL APPLICATION
• BUS MAINTENANCE PERFORMANCE: FINDINGS AND DIRECTION FOR RESEARCH
• BUS SERVICE TIMES AND CAPACITIES IN MANHATTAN
• CAPITAL PROJECT PRIORITY SETTING AT THE SOUTHEASTERN PENNSYLVANIA TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY
• CASE STUDY IN LAND USE AND PARKING REGULATIONS IN SUPPORT OF CAMPUS TRANSIT SERVICES: DEVELOPMENT OF CY-RIDE IN AMES, IOWA
• CONCEPTUAL MODEL OF THE FIXED-GUIDEWAY DECISION PROCESS
• DRIVE FOR EXCELLENCE: HOW TO INCREASE TRANSIT RIDERSHIP
• EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS IN THE PUBLIC TRANSIT INDUSTRY: EXPERIENCE OF CONNECTICUT TRANSIT AND SOME CONCERNS FOR THE FUTURE
• EVALUATING A LARGE NUMBER OF STATION AND ALIGNMENT ALTERNATIVES
• FINANCIAL CAPACITY ANALYSIS OF THE SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA RAIL EXTENSION PROGRAM
• FINANCING PEOPLE MOVERS: THE CASE OF ATLANTIC CITY
• IMPACT OF LABOR CONTRACT PROVISIONS ON TRANSIT OPERATOR PRODUCTIVITY
• IMPROVING THE EFFECTS OF ELEVATED TRANSIT STATIONS ON NEIGHBORHOODS
• MARKET-BASED APPROACH TO TRANSIT FACILITY DESIGN
• MODERNIZATION OF SEPTA'S NORRISTOWN HIGH-SPEED LINE
• NET COSTS OF PEAK AND OFFPEAK TRANSIT TRIPS TAKEN NATIONWIDE BY MODE
• PLANNING A NEW VEHICLE AND ROADWAY SYSTEM FOR DEVELOPING COUNTRIES
• PLANNING AND IMPLEMENTING BUS ROUTE CHANGES TO SERVE NEW RAPID TRANSIT LINES: THE ARCHER AVENUE EXPERIENCE IN NEW YORK
• PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION PROBLEMS AND SOLUTIONS IN THE HISTORICAL CENTER OF QUITO
• SCHEDULING TRANSIT EXTRABOARD PERSONNEL
• SITE SELECTION AND SIZING OF AN LRV STORAGE YARD
• THE RIGHT-OF-WAY AGREEMENT: NINE-JURISDICTION PLAN FOR TOMORROW
• TOWARD A PASSENGER-ORIENTED MODEL OF SUBWAY PERFORMANCE (WITH DISCUSSION AND CLOSURE)
• TRANSIT CAPITAL PLANNING IN THE SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA
• USING VALUE ENHANCEMENT TO FINANCE PEOPLE MOVERS IN SUBURBAN ACTIVITY CENTERS
• VEHICLE REPLACEMENT STRATEGIES: OPPORTUNITIES FOR EFFICIENCIES
• WORK STANDARDS: THEIR USE AND DEVELOPMENT USING A MAINTENANCE MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEM