Infrequent Riders: One Key to New Transit Ridership and Revenue

Abstract

The mass transit industry has long focused on regular riders, large numbers of trips, and daily commuting. Captive rider and transit dependency concepts are also common in the transit industry's view of its markets. However, recent research challenges these views, especially the frequency of use. Results from three sources are discussed: onboard surveys, fare structure changes, and the transit voucher (commuter check) fare subsidy plan. The findings suggest that infrequent riders are a critical transit market and perhaps the key to building transit ridership and revenues.