THE ROLE OF MASS TRANSIT IN SMALL URBAN COMMUNITIES: A CASE STUDY OF WATERTOWN

The objective of this study is to investigate the social and economic viability of mass transit in small sized urban areas. Examinations of information collection techniques, transit problems, historical trends, and improvement proposals of transit systems in smaller urban areas all around the country are included. Numerous information gathering techniques are incorporated in an effort to uncover the exact dimensions of the need for mass transportation services in Watertown and to determine the shortcomings of the present Community people moving systems. The inventories, surveys, interviews, and other observations conducted in this study provide information about the existing conditions of the Watertown City Bus Lines, the Watertown Cab Company, and the local School Bus Systems which are utilized in the multi-stage transit alternative generation and selection process. This study by step compilation of lists of management-ownrship, financial, operations, equipment, fare structure, and marketing alternatives effectively dispalys most of the realistic transit improvement options. Public takeover of the existing privately owned City Bus Lines with the eventual formation of a City Transit System is recommended in this study. A combined demand-responsive, fixed-route transit operation with modern mini-bus type vehicles appears to be the most promising system for Watertown in the future. The peak hour fixed-route, non-peak hour demand-responsive service should be ambitiously promoted locally. The system could be financed by state and federal assistance programs as well as from local sources.

• Supplemental Notes:
  • Sponsored by DOT, Urban Mass Transportation Administration.
• Corporate Authors:

  University of Wisconsin, Madison

  Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
  1415 Engineering Drive
  Madison, WI  United States  53706
• Authors:
  • Wesemann, L
  • Holzner, L
  • Beimborn, E
• Publication Date: 1974-6

Media Info

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

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Data collection; Demand responsive transportation; Finance; Fixed routes; Minibuses; Public transit; Ridership; School buses; Small cities; Socioeconomic factors; Taxicabs; Transportation; Urban areas
• Subject Areas: Economics; Finance; Planning and Forecasting; Society; Transportation (General);

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00179371
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Sep 14 1981 12:00AM