ARCO'S SEARCH FOR IDEAS ON PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION

An attempt is made to distill conclusions from over 30,000 responses (from 50 states and 21 foreign countries) to the Atlantic Ritchfield Company's public call for ideas on public transportation. The responses were categorized into 29 classes and tabulated according to ideas and cities (chosen to reflect a number of important dimensions such as age of city, existing facilities etc.). Fare structure attracted more attention in Chicago, New York and Philadelphia, and a significant number of letters discussed limitation of automobile traffic. The design of new systems, and transit union's role was more important is Los Angeles. The responses were again categorized in terms of basic approach to improve public transportation: quality of service, finance and organization, and technology. Comparison of the relative frequency of the 3 basic approaches indicates that a high degree of conflict will be generated by any proposed improvement. Few people inderstand the complexities and many "trafe-offs" that have to be made in planning public transportation. The study leads to the conclusion that the general public is relatively uninformed on many aspects of public transportation.

• Corporate Authors:

  American Public Transit Association

  1100 17th Street, NW
  Washington, DC  United States  20036
• Authors:
  • Kriste, G V
  • Klett, F R
• Publication Date: 1975-8

Media Info

• Features: Tables;
• Pagination: p. 21-28
• Serial:
  • Transit Journal
  • Volume: 1
  • Issue Number: 3

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Automobiles; Fares; Finance; Improvements; Innovation; Labor unions; Level of service; Organization; Public opinion; Public transit; Technology; Transportation; Urban transportation
• Uncontrolled Terms: Service
• Old TRIS Terms: Future concepts
• Subject Areas: Finance; Planning and Forecasting; Transportation (General);

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00126855
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Dec 16 1981 12:00AM