LIMITED-STOP BUS OPERATIONS: AN EVALUATION

Limited-stop bus services have the capability of serving a ridership demand market between that of regional express and that of local bus operations. Limited-stop bus services in New York City's borough of Manhattan were evaluated by comparing performance characteristics and passenger use to those of local service on the same routes. Random spot-survey results and recent secondary data sources revealed considerable travel time savings, faster average operating speeds, rider preference for limited buses (where available), and attraction levels comparable to those of local bus service. Modest operating cost savings were computed, with stopping frequencies closer to express service being the most economical. Among the types of service-related cost savings cited from employing limited scheduling, annual savings from peak vehicle reductions amount to more than 60 percent of total possible economies expected through using limited bus runs for roughly half the peak period trips on suitable routes. Two sets of bivariate regression models were computed and calibrated to serve as general sketch-planning guides for reviewing routes that may benefit from limited-service implementation. Five warrants explaining what service revisions and performance modifications are essential if limited bus operations are to be feasibly used to cut costs and attract ridership are presented.