Socio-economic characteristics of transit riders: some recent evidence

Journal Article · Wed Jul 01 04:00:00 EDT 1981 · Traffic Q.; (United States)

OSTI ID:6330472

Pucher, J; Hendrickson, C; McNeil, S

Socio-economic data on transit riders representing a survey of 18,000 randomly-selected households confirms that the poor, elderly, minorities, and women are relativley dependent on mass transit and account for a significant share of the ridership. Statistics summarizing the income distribution by travel mode, travel purpose, trip length, mode and time of day, and ethnic/racial background are presented in tables. Other tables compare trip distance and mode by race, sex, and age group. The data reveal that the service provided for disadvantaged groups is often the least subsidized, raising questions of equity. If carefully targeted direct-to-user subsidies were directed at groups with the least mobility, they would be more effective than general transit subsidies. 17 references, 8 tables. (DCK)

• OSTI ID: 6330472
• Journal Information: Traffic Q.; (United States), Journal Name: Traffic Q.; (United States) Vol. 35:3; ISSN TRAQA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
290200* -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Economics & Sociology
32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION
320200 -- Energy Conservation
Consumption
& Utilization-- Transportation
DEMOGRAPHY
FINANCIAL INCENTIVES
GOVERNMENT POLICIES
HUMAN POPULATIONS
INCOME DISTRIBUTION
INSTITUTIONAL FACTORS
LOW INCOME GROUPS
MASS TRANSIT SYSTEMS
MINORITY GROUPS
POPULATIONS
SOCIO-ECONOMIC FACTORS
SUBSIDIES
TRANSPORTATION SYSTEMS