Impact of Rail Transit on Bus Operations

Predictable transit passenger selection of the most desirable travel route dictates extensive diversion of riders from existing bus operations to new rail systems. Planning of coordinated service is necessary to gain full benefit of new rail systems and to maintain healthy bus operations. Complex problems impede coordination of operations. Consideration of coordination should continue throughout rail system planning. An example of new rail service instituted without coordination shows marked loss of riders from parallel bus routes, accompanied by depressed rail line ridership and excess of demand for station parking. Examples of planned coordination demonstrate that passenger use of feeder bus services can partially compensate for through bus riding losses. Planning techniques now coming into use and adherence to objectives and guidelines will allow improved design of coordinated systems. Innovative bus operation may be possible. A well designed joint operation can vastly improve urban transit service.