SHORT-TERM TRANSIT POLICIES AND DOWNTOWN REVITALIZATION

Short-term downtown transit policies such as fare-free zones and special fares for shoppers can benefit retail business and thus contribute to revitalizing the urban core. These benefits result either from improved access to downtown shopping facilities, thus increasing effective demand, or from an improved image of the downtown area, thus increasing supply or desirability. This paper compares the two kinds of effects with regard to the downtown share of total retail sales in the metropolitan areas for sample U.S. cities, and concludes that the supply-side factors (relative attractiveness of downtown retail business) are more important. These findings support the argument that transit policies for downtown areas should be geared to improving the overall appearance of those areas. Ernst's conclusion is consistent with experience to date in the United States regarding urban transit policies. (Urban Institute)

• Supplemental Notes:
  • This abstract appeared in the Urban Institute Publications in Urban Affairs.
• Corporate Authors:

  Urban Institute

  2100 M Street, NW
  Washington, DC  United States  20037
• Authors:
  • Ernst, UFW
• Publication Date: 1979

Media Info

• Pagination: 29 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Central business districts; Economic development; Economic impacts; Free fares; Shopping trips; Time duration; Transportation policy; Urban development
• Uncontrolled Terms: Short term
• Old TRIS Terms: Free transportation; Shopper transportation
• Subject Areas: Economics; Highways; Planning and Forecasting; Policy; Public Transportation; Society; I72: Traffic and Transport Planning;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00324478
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: URI No. 28500
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: May 21 1982 12:00AM