Mass transit is one of the transportation systems that is becoming part of life in the United States. Those who advocate for public transit believe that it increases economic activity in the country. There are variables that influence the American public’s use of mass transit. Pricing is a factor that plays a key role in the coordination of local transportation (Vickrey, 1965). Reliability and efficiency are some of the variables that affect the public’s use of mass transit. The public focus on reliability and consistent of travel times. Most of the agencies have realized that to retail customers they have to enhance their reliability on service delivery. Mass transit can be unreliable because of the transit logistics. Some of the components include overcrowded subways, inaccurate arrival information. The American public demand mass transit with reliable and flexible transfers within stops (Post, 2007). Americans public are likely to be turned off by the operational delays in the mass transit systems.
Also, service quality factors affect American public’s use of mass transit. Notably, service quality associated with mass transit is influenced by several variables. These components include station safety, customer service, the general attitude towards mass transit, bus information as well as on-street service. Mass transport systems have to focus on these variables because it influences the American public.
The waiting environment influences the demand for mass transit by Americans. Most Americans prefer to wait for trains or buses in conditions of cleanliness, protection from weather, safety and comfort (Walker, 2012). Also, Auto ownership and income levels affect the mass transit. Those who receive high income tend to own their personal cars that use to travel. This means that mass transit will decrease.
In the general perspective, pricing and fares are not the only variables that affect the use of mass transit in the United States. There are other variables that influence mass transit. These include information provision, safety, reliability, service terminals, waiting environment, time spent on terminals, the general attitude of the American public on mass transit.
References
Post, R. C. (2007). Urban mass transit: The life story of a technology. Westport, Conn: Greenwood Press.
Walker, J. (2012). Human transit: How clearer thinking about public transit can enrich our communities and our lives. Washington, DC: Island Press.
Vickrey, W. (1965). Pricing as a Tool in Coordination of Local Transportation. National Bureau of Economic Research.
