EXPRESS BUS ROUTE POLICY STUDY

The growth of express bus service since its beginning in 1968 demonstrated that many New Yorkers and suburbanites are willing to pay substantially higher fares to commute to the Manhattan CBD. In terms of growth and user acceptance, express buses have been successful, but have also produced a number of problems such as traffic congestion in Manhattan and in major traffic corridors; the diversion of ridership and revenue from other public or private transit facilities; air pollution, noise, community disruption and other environmental impacts. This study examined the positive and negative consequences of the present situation--in terms of transportation service, financial and institutional considerations, and environmental impacts--and developed recommendations for a comprehensive City policy on express buses that defines their proper role in the region's transit mix and can be used to guide franchising and route approval for private and public operations. Study tasks included: a literature review of the subject; a review/survey of similar experiences in eight other major cities; a profile of the development of express bus service in New York City; and the results of an extensive interview program to further explore critical study issues and gather various groups perspective of the service. In addition, the study identified and discussed key problem areas requiring resolution in order to develop comprehensive city policies for express bus routes and developed a list of policy recommendations. Overall, the study recommended that the City develop express bus routes as part of a comprehensive express bus services plan and discusses the plan's requirements, implementation, impacts, and role in New York City transportation.

• Corporate Authors:

  New York City Department of City Planning

  2 Lafayette Street
  New York, NY  United States  10007

  Urban Mass Transportation Administration

  400 7th Street, SW
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Publication Date: 1986-2

Media Info

• Features: Figures; Tables;
• Pagination: 271 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Commuting; Data collection; Environmental impacts; Express buses; Level of service; Modal split; Policy making; Surveys; Traffic congestion; Transportation planning; Urban transportation
• Geographic Terms: New York (New York)
• Old TRIS Terms: Umta section 8
• Subject Areas: Environment; Highways; Operations and Traffic Management; Planning and Forecasting; Policy; Public Transportation; I72: Traffic and Transport Planning;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00456262
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: UMTA-NY-08-0069-86-1
• Contract Numbers: UMTA-NY-08-0069
• Files: TRIS, USDOT
• Created Date: Jul 31 1988 12:00AM