Metro Station Operating Costs: An Econometric Analysis

This paper develops an econometric analysis of metro station operating costs to identify factors that create variation in cost efficiency. Stations' operating costs can be classified among the semifixed costs that a metro faces in the sense that they do not vary proportionately with metro output. They may therefore be important in determining the degree of returns to density. This paper aims to provide an improved understanding of some of the major factors driving these costs. Empirical results show that strong system-specific influences impact costs but over and above these positive associations are detected from a range of station characteristics, including the length of passageways, number of platforms, peak-level service frequency, interchange demand, and provision of lavatories. In addition, it was determined that the presence of air-conditioning has a substantial effect in increasing expected station operating cost by as much as 40%.

• Record URL:
  http://doi.org/10.5038/2375-0901.10.2.6
• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/oclc/30755822
• Supplemental Notes:
  • Abstract reprinted with permission from the Center for Urban Transportation Research
• Authors:
  • Quddus, Mohammed
  • Harris, Nigel
  • Graham, Daniel Joseph
• Publication Date: 2007

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Print
• Features: Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: pp 93-107
• Serial:
  • Journal of Public Transportation
  • Volume: 10
  • Issue Number: 2
  • Publisher: University of South Florida, Tampa
  • ISSN: 1077-291X
  • EISSN: 2375-0901
  • Serial URL: http://scholarcommons.usf.edu/jpt/
• Publication flags:

  Open Access (libre)

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Cost effectiveness; Econometrics; Economic analysis; Economic factors; Operating costs; Public transit; Rail transit; Rail transit stations; Station operations
• Subject Areas: Administration and Management; Economics; Public Transportation; Society;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01055323
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Aug 12 2007 1:06PM