SEPACT III: FINAL REPORT--OPERATIONAL READING

The project was designed to develop and test techniques for the restructuring commuter railroad service in the Philadelphia metropolitan area. Each phase of the experiment tested the relationship between various levels of service, fare structures, and ridership. In some cases off-peak service was increased, in others the total number of trains was reduced. These fluctuations were accompanied by variations in fares, the provision of special passes, and heavy promotional campaigns. Comprehensive surveys were conducted to measure ridership preferences, trip characteristics, and volume. Four general conclusions were yielded by the analysis: (1) Increased service and higher fares were more effective in reducing operating deficits than decreased service and lower fares. (2) Where service was substantially improved, new ridership was attracted and paid higher fares as well. (3) Greater equipment efficiency resulted in significant reductions in operating cost, thus recommending greater emphasis on capital improvement. (4) The general market for rail service, including commuters, varied substantially over time. It is concluded that rail commuter service was demonstrated to be a viable and integral part of urban transportation, and that, further, levels of service and passenger fares could be provided to ensure a profitable operation.

• Corporate Authors:

  Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority

  2028 PSFS Building, 12 South 12th Street
  Philadelphia, PA  United States  19107
• Publication Date: 1971-6

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Commuter service
• Identifier Terms: Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority
• Old TRIS Terms: Reading company
• Subject Areas: Operations and Traffic Management; Passenger Transportation; Railroads;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00044191
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Urban Mass Transportation Administration
• Files: TRIS, USDOT
• Created Date: Jun 15 1974 12:00AM