POWER FOR THE MTA: AN EXAMINATION OF FUTURE RIDERSHIP SERVICE, AND ELECTRIC POWER REQUIREMENTS FOR METROPLITAN TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY FACILITIES.

This study begins by documenting the strong relationship between employment in the Manhattan Central Business District (CBD) and the use of electric railtrainsit-the subways and commuter railroads. The study explores two possibilities: A moderate drop in Manhattan employment below 1975 levels by the year 2000, and a resurgence in CBD employment to 2.1 million. Other variables that strongly affect ridership are transit fares and auto ownership. One policy investigates a fare rise in step with inflation, the other a fare decline. Two features of the automobile are explored. The auto becomes more energy efficient and smaller and auto use remains the same, and increased auto efficiency and auto use decreases. The possibility of a "Second phase" subway expansion program is explored, which would add another 46 miles of new routes to the 28 miles currently planned, but would also remove 30 miles of elevated lines. In January 1974 prices, the present New Routes program would cost about $3.3 billion, and the second phase another $3.0 billion. Another $3.5 billion would be required over the next two decades for upgrading the existing subway system. Capital improvements considered for commuter railroads in this study are the Long Island Railroad access to the East Side in the first phase and electrification extensions in the second phase. Lastly, changes in transit equipment and their impact on power needs are explored. 128 separate estimates for different combinations of conditions are explored in this study.

• Corporate Authors:

  Regional Planning Association Incorporated

  235 East 47th Street
  New York, NY  United States  10017
• Authors:
  • Pushkarev, B S
  • Zupan, J M
• Publication Date: 1977-6

Media Info

• Features: Appendices; Figures; Tables;
• Pagination: 80 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Central business districts; Commuting; Costs; Employment; Fares; Fuel consumption; Motor vehicles; Ownership; Railroad electrification; Railroad transportation; Ridership; Subways
• Subject Areas: Energy; Finance; Highways; Planning and Forecasting; Public Transportation; Railroads;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00167471
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: RPA Bulletin 126
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: May 3 1981 12:00AM