THE POTENTIAL OF A RAIL RAPID TRANSIT SYSTEM

The potential of rapid transit lies in its ability to move large numbers of people comparatively quickly along a given corridor with minimum disturbance to the surrounding environment. The term mass transit is more correct because such a system is not economically justifiable unless it is moving a large mass of people. The cost of providing the basic structure is invariably high and so is the cost of running the minimum acceptable level of service. To cover these costs alone a large number of passengers must be carried, but the extra cost to cater for more passengers is quite small. In accountancy terms, the break-even point is high but once it is reached the marginal cost incurred by extra services is small and hence profitability increases rapidly above the break-even point.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/00268356
• Corporate Authors:

  Ian Allan Limited

  Terminal House
  Shepperton, Middlesex  England  TW17 8AS
• Authors:
  • Scott, M
• Publication Date: 1973-7

Media Info

• Features: Figures;
• Pagination: p. 276-280
• Serial:
  • MODERN RAILWAYS
  • Volume: 30
  • Issue Number: 298
  • Publisher: Ian Allan Publishing, Limited
  • ISSN: 0026-8356

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Economics; Rapid transit; Urban transportation
• Subject Areas: Economics; Operations and Traffic Management; Passenger Transportation; Public Transportation; Railroads;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00048189
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Jan 4 1982 12:00AM