INTERCITY BUS PASSENGER PROFILE

The Bus Regulatory Reform Act of 1982 required the Motor Carrier Ratemaking Study Commission to assess the impact of the act on persons over the age of 60, particularly those living in rural areas and small towns. As part of that assessment, national and state surveys of bus passengers were reviewed to determine the age distribution, income, trip purpose, availability of a driver's license, availability of an automobile or truck, and means of access transportation of intercity bus passengers. The largest percentage of intercity bus passengers are young, and the next largest user group is the elderly. Most trips are taken for social or recreational reasons, including visiting family and friends and sightseeing. Bus passengers as a group have much lower median household incomes than those traveling on other modes, although the income distribution of bus passengers varies from state to state. Approximately two-thirds of all bus passengers have a driver's license, and a majority of them have a vehicle available in the household. Yet that vehicle was not available to the passenger for that trip between 47.5 and 70 percent of the time, according to three state surveys. The evidence presented indicates that although a majority of bus passengers had no private alternative for that trip, intercity bus service has only a minor role in meeting the most essential mobility needs.