Does Transit Work? A Conservative Reappraisal

The paper proposes using transit competitive trips as measure of effectiveness of public transit. It then applies this new measurement to three transit systems, each of which represents high quality transit: Chicago's Metra commuter rail system and the Light Rail systems in San Diego and St. Louis. Taken together, the three case studies establish beyond question that when transit is measured with the correct yardstick, transit competitive trips, public transit works. The paper also suggests ways in which transit can compete more effectively, and states that if transit authorities are willing to act imaginatively to improve transit quality, public transit could become a success.