BUS OPERATORS HAVE THEIR TICKETS CLIPPED

The author reports on papers presented at the Newcastle University 13th Annual Symposium on Public Transport where cost-cutting was the theme. The subsidy mechanism, seen as the common response to increasing costs, can be used effectively if properly designed and controlled. Operating costs can be reduced by the more effective use of labour in less labour intensive systems. The capital outlay for a new light rail system is likely to exceed the total cost of a high frequency bus service. Public transport is particularly sensitive to changes in economic growth. In a stagnating economy it loses patronage, in a booming economy it can lose at a faster rate. Evidence was given to show that management was responsible for cost cutting and ensuring that the surplus profit was between 12 and 14 per cent on revenue. An example of productivity was given of a service operating with 2.47 employees per vehicle. Market analysis has also produced some considerable improvements in medium-sized towns by improved planning of services with tighter vehicle and driving schedules. One speaker felt that the social, economic and environmental cost of abandoning the national network far outweighed the cost of maintaining it. (A) (TRRL)

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/00396303
• Corporate Authors:

  IPC Building and Contract Journals Limited

  Surrey House, 1 Throwley Way
  Sutton, Surrey SM1 4QQ,   England 
• Publication Date: 1982-5-13

Media Info

• Features: Figures; Tables;
• Pagination: p. 18
• Serial:
  • SURVEYOR
  • Volume: 159
  • Issue Number: 4690
  • Publisher: Hemming Group, Limited
  • ISSN: 0039-6303

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Conferences; Cost control; Costs; Financing; Operating costs; Operations; Personnel; Planning; Productivity; Public transit; Ridership; Subsidies
• Uncontrolled Terms: Reduction (Decrease)
• Geographic Terms: United Kingdom
• Old TRIS Terms: Operations planning
• ITRD Terms: 8525: Conference; 224: Cost; 9009: Decrease; 244: Financing; 102: Personnel; 744: Public transport; 8119: United Kingdom
• Subject Areas: Administration and Management; Finance; Highways; Planning and Forecasting; Public Transportation; Society; I72: Traffic and Transport Planning;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00368102
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Transport Research Laboratory
• Files: ITRD, TRIS
• Created Date: Oct 30 1982 12:00AM