Public Transportation Ridership Levels

Authors

  • Christopher R Swimmer
  • Christopher C Klein

Abstract

This article uses linear regression analysis to examine the determinants of public transportation ridership in over 100 U. S. cities in 2007.   The primary determinant of ridership appears to be availability of public transportation service.  In fact, the relationship is nearly one to one: a 1% increase in availability is associated with a 1% increase in ridership.  The relative unimportance of price may be an indicator of the heavy subsidization of fares in most cities, leaving availability as the more effective policy tool to encourage use of public transport.

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Published

2010-12-01

Issue

Vol. 10 No. 1 (2010): Journal for Economic Educators

Section

Undergraduate Student Research

License

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