THE SHORT AND LONG-RUN COST OF BUS TRANSPORT IN URBAN AREAS

A mathemtical model is developed to identify the behavior of cost in relation to size for municipal bus transport systems. Both fixed and variable costs are examined. The model is fitted to data for 1966-67 and results show that total costs are increasing more than proportionately to size. The nature of this non-linearity is explored in detail by looking at the cost-output relationship for components of the total cost, including labor, power, repair and maintenance, and overhead costs. The cost curve for 1971-72 shows that costs rose rapidly over the 5 years after 1966-67. Analysis reveals that this is primarily due to the increase in the fixed cost of providing bus services. In conclusion, the trend in fixed and variable costs from 1961 to 1972 is considered. /HRIS/

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/oclc/856156
• Corporate Authors:

  London School of Economics and Political Science

  Houghton Street, Aldwych
  London WC2A 2AE,   England 
• Authors:
  • Wabe, J S
  • Coles, O B
• Publication Date: 1975-5

Media Info

• Features: Appendices; Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: p. 127-140
• Serial:
  • Journal of Transport Economics and Policy
  • Volume: 9
  • Issue Number: 2
  • Publisher: University of Bath
  • ISSN: 0022-5258
  • Serial URL: http://www.jtep.com

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Bus transit; Costs; Economics; Fixed costs; Maintenance management; Mathematical models; Overhead costs; Personnel; Power; Regression analysis; Repairing; Size; Transportation; Variable costs
• Uncontrolled Terms: Maintenance costs; Repairs
• Old TRIS Terms: Bus transportation (Intracity)
• Subject Areas: Economics; Planning and Forecasting; Society; Transportation (General);

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00128225
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Mar 10 1976 12:00AM