SCHEDULED BUSES VERSUS "SERVIS" TAXIS IN AMMAN, JORDAN

Servis taxis, using ordinary saloon cars, do not have fixed stopping places between terminals and provide a high level of service particularly between the city centre and a distance of up to 3 km. Fares are similar to bus fares, but are far cheaper than call taxi fares. The authors develop an economic model for public transport in amman and attempt to define the most appropriate roles for conventional buses and taxis in the region's future transport system. Results show that the most efficient bus routes are those where the benefits derived from lower bus fares and lower congestion outweigh the disbenefits of the longer journey times (including walking and waiting). The analysis shows that these routes tend to be the longer more congested routes with the higher public demand. Optimum servis routes are those where the benefits of the shorter journey times outweigh the higher taxi fares and congestion caused by the larger number of vehicles. These routes are often those on narrow and steep routes with low but sometimes high public transport demand. (TRRL)