REALITIES OF PUBLIC TRANSPORT IN SMALL URBAN AREAS

This paper highlights aspects of the reality of public transport services in small urban areas involving two categories of service: (1) Conventional fixed-route transit and (2) commuter pooling operations. Despite all types of marketing, there has been no substantial increase in use of smaller Canadian transit systems while the unit subsidy costs have escalated at a rate well in excess of the inflation rate. Public transit generally has a low priority when constrained fund sources are called upon for higher subsidies. Commuter pooling in small urban areas, as is the case with conventional transit, also has a limited market. Fare rates are often below the level needed for full cost recovery; some recent programs seek to alleviate the need for cost recovery and may enhance the acceptibility of pooling. Promotion and development of public transport for small urban areas must continue; there are special service needs and mobility requirements in such areas which must be met.

• Supplemental Notes:
  • Proceedings of the 16th Annual Meeting, Canadian Transportation Research Forum, Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, June 10-12, 1981.
• Corporate Authors:

  Cross (Richard B) Company

  Oxford, Indiana,   United States  47971
• Authors:
  • FIANDER, A D
• Publication Date: 1981

Media Info

• Pagination: p. 553-562
• Serial:
  • Transportation Research Forum Proceedings
  • Volume: 22
  • Issue Number: 1
  • Publisher: Cross (Richard B) Company

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Carpools; Fares; Marketing; Public transit; Small cities; Subsidies; Travel demand; Vanpools
• Geographic Terms: Canada
• Subject Areas: Finance; Public Transportation;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00368113
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: Proceeding
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Oct 30 1982 12:00AM