RELATION BETWEEN TRANSIT RIDERSHIP AND WALKING DISTANCES IN A LOW-DENSITY FLORIDA RETIREMENT AREA

Abstract

IN RESPONSE TO DEMANDS FROM SENIOR CITIZENS IN CENTRAL PINELLAS COUNTY FOR ECONOMICAL PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION, THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION INITIATED A DEMONSTRATION PROJECT TO STUDY THE RIDERSHIP CHARACTERISTICS AND COSTS OF OPERATING FIVE 29-PASSENGER BUSES IN OCTOBER 1970. THIS PAPER EXAMINES THE TRIP CHARACTERISTICS AND THE SERVICE LIMITATIONS OF FIXED-ROUTE BUS OPERATION IN SCATTERED RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENTS THAT CONTAIN A HIGH PERCENTAGE OF SENIOR CITIZENS. MOST TRIPS MADE BY SENIOR CITIZENS WERE FOR SHOPPING AND SOCIAL- RECREATIONAL PURPOSES. RESULTS INDICATED THAT MOST RIDERS TRAVELED 2 TO 4 DAYS PER WEEK AND THAT, PRIOR TO THE INITIATION OF THE SYSTEM, 90 PERCENT OF THE ELDERLY RIDERS HAD NO FORM OF INDEPENDENT TRANSPORTATION. ABOUT 70 PERCENT OF THE ELDERLY RIDERS LIVED WITHIN 1/8 MILE OF THE BUS ROUTE, AND 90 PERCENT OF ALL RIDERS WERE BOUND FOR DESTINATIONS LOCATED WITHIN 1/2 MILE WALKING DISTANCE OF THE ROUTE. TRANSIT USAGE AT A TOTAL WALKING DISTANCE OF 1/8 MILE WAS 3 TIMES GREATER THAN THE USAGE AT A DISTANCE OF 1/4 MILE. /AUTHOR/