Seven strategies for transit recovery in the dispersed city

Over the last half-century, traffic congestion and short-term solutions to congestion have made public passenger transport (transit) a slower and therefore less attractive travel option than the car for most urban journeys. As a result, transit ridership has declined markedly. However, as congestion has continued to increase even in suburbia, congestion-free transit systems have begun to appear attractive once more. This is particularly true with regard to corridors between main centres and suburban sub-centres, where passenger movements are high, and where the alternative to transit is often a congested motorway. The possibility therefore exists of a significant return to large-scale transit use in the 21st century, based on the idea of a comparatively rapid, high-frequency transit network serving many destinations via convenient transfers. Seven interlocking strategies to achieve such a viable transit network are proposed. (a)