COSTS AND BENEFICIARIES OF ATLANTA MASS TRANSIT

Research is reported which was designed to determine the beneficiaries of mass transportation in the Atlanta Region, and the point is made that MARTA (Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority) should offer a wider range of transportation services and costs to a consuming public within a complex geographic area. Mass transportation's appeal is affected by costs, quality of service and competition with other modes. In order to decrease the inequity of time costs between the automobile and mass transit, it is clear that mass transit must approach the service level of the automobile. The potential for increased transit ridership is greatest for high income suburbanites. It is recommended that the diversion of automobile use to mass transit should be encouraged through higher parking fees or other auto restrictions during peak hours. Collector bus service on a reservation basis should be available to suburban residences to minimize the time costs of transit travel. Further recommendations regarding the costs of services to higher income riders, exclusive bus lanes, a regional train system, the dissemination of information on the costs of modal choices are also presented.

• Corporate Authors:

  Georgia State University, Atlanta

  33 Gilmer Street, SE
  Atlanta, GA  United States  30303
• Authors:
  • Farkas, Z A
• Publication Date: 1977-7

Media Info

• Features: Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: p. 50-54
• Serial:
  • Atlanta Economic Review
  • Volume: 27
  • Issue Number: 4

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Automobile travel; Benefits; Competition; Costs; Economics; Income; Level of service; Mode choice; Pay parking; Peak periods; Public transit; Rapid transit; Routes; Suburbs; Traffic restraint; Transportation
• Uncontrolled Terms: Parking costs
• Old TRIS Terms: Modal selection; Reserved routes
• Subject Areas: Economics; Finance; Planning and Forecasting; Society; Transportation (General);

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00164019
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Dec 27 1981 12:00AM