Cost Estimation of Fare-Free ADA Complementary Paratransit Service in Illinois
Document Type
Journal Article
Publication Date
2012
Subject Area
economics - operating costs, mode - paratransit, ridership - drivers, place - north america
Keywords
paratransit, Illinois, free fares, increases in ridership
Abstract
Instituting a free fare for ADA complementary paratransit service in the state of Illinois will expectedly increase the demand and associated costs of providing the specialized service. This paper proposes a method to estimate such demand and cost increases. Our results show an estimated average increase in annual ADA trips between 121 and 171 percent in the Chicago area. Given previous industry free-ride experiments, the latent demand exhibited by the large number of persons with disabilities living within ¾ mile of a fixed route, and the expected diversion of wheelchair riders currently using fixed routes, we believe it is not unreasonable to expect increases in ridership approaching 100 percent. Compared to the (2007$) baseline total statewide cost of $99.3 million, the estimated cost due to increased demand would be between $123.9 and $160.6 million.
Rights
Permission to publish the abstract has been given by NCTR, copyright remains with them.
Recommended Citation
Metaxatos, P., & Dirks, L. (2012). Cost Estimation of Fare-Free ADA Complementary Paratransit Service in Illinois. Journal of Public Transportation, Vol. 15, (4), pp. 67-85. Published by National Center for Transit Research at the University of South Florida.
