Selected Bus Demonstration Projects

Evaluation of results from selected demonstration projects dealing with bus service to low-income communities and express buss service to suburban communities are undertaken. Results from six projects are compared and analyzed. Criteria for evaluation are also considered. The principal conclusions from the study include: (1) it is desirable to establish a methodology for the evaluation of poverty area bus services which not only considers financial factors but also social factors; (2) it is doubtful that normal bus service can provide adequate mobility for poverty area residents; (3) express bus services have the potential to be self-supporting; (4) reported cost data of operating bus services are insufficient for proper analysis; (5) lack of uniformity in structuring and reporting of results from demonstration projects makes it difficult to correlate various studies and to generate more widespread application of results; and (6) prior to the award of a demonstration grant it is highly desirable that socio-economic and travel characteristic data be available.