Published: 2002 | Category: Transport demand management , Research programme , Research & reports | Audience: General
A research project was undertaken in 2001 to analyse the patronage and cost-effectiveness impacts of nine public transport enhancement initiatives (the case studies) in three New Zealand cities (Christchurch, Wellington, Auckland).
The patronage impacts and service elasticity values were assessed for each case study, along with an analysis of previous travel mode, patronage growth patterns, synergy effects, and cost effectiveness. Patronage increases were generally greater for new services than for enhancements to existing services, and the service enhancements to existing services were generally not as cost-effective as the new services. Patronage was found to continue increasing after 12 months, but only by 15–30% over the next three years.
The success of a service enhancement scheme can therefore be reasonably judged after 12 months of operation provided allowance is made for the further increase likely beyond this time.
Service elasticity values derived were generally within typical internationally reported values.
Synergy effects, whereby patronage gains over and above that expected by the service increase occurred, were found on two cross-town services.
The main topics which need to be covered in an anaysis of patronage data are given.
Keywords: analysis, Auckland Christchurch, cost-effectiveness, cost, databases, elasticity, evaluation, monitoring, New Zealand, patronage, public transport, roads, traffic, travel modes, Wellington
