Trends in Urban Transit in the U.S. – Some Comparisons Edd Hauser, P.E., PhD Nicholas J. Swartz, MPA Center for Transportation Policy Studies UNC Charlotte

“The role of a university has always been to provide a forum for the free and open discussion of ideas and precepts.” - Keyishian vs. Board of Regents, State University of New York, 385 U.S. 589 (1967) – a finding upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court

Presentation Outline Highway Funding Trends in the U.S. Transit Cost and Ridership Trends Comparative Analysis of Transit in Cities with Light Rail Systems Data on Charlotte Transit and Highways

Source: Status of the Nation's Highways, Bridges, and Transit: 2004 Conditions and Performance, US Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration

Transit in the U. S. & Charlotte –Nationwide today, approx. 65,000 buses (140,000 route miles) –Charlotte – growth from 143 to 247 buses (from 47 to 76 routes) between 1998 and 2007 –15,000 rail vehicles(9,800 route miles) –Trip Types: Work54% School15% Shopping 9% Source: American Public Transportation Association Website (

Operating Expenses & Ridership ( ) Nationwide: –49.3 percent increase in Operating Expenses –8.9 percent increase in annual pass. miles – 16% increase in vehicle revenue miles Charlotte: –158 % increase in operating expenses –26% increase in annual passenger miles –81% increase in vehicle revenue miles Highest increases: –Light Rail –Demand Response –Van Pool Source: 2005 National Transit Summaries and Trends (

VRM, Bus Transit Source: 2005 National Transit Summaries and Trends (

VRM, Light Rail Transit Source: 2005 National Transit Summaries and Trends (

Comparative Analysis of Bus Transit in Cities with Light Rail Systems 1.Service Area and # of Bus and Light Rail Vehicles 2.Service Efficiency (Operating Expense Per Vehicle Revenue Mile) 3.Cost Effectiveness (Operating Expense Per Passenger Mile) 4.Proportion of Bus Operating Expenses Collected in Fares

( 2007 )

Bus Transit Service Area (sq. mi.) (2005) Source: Federal Transit Administration, National Transit Database for 2005

2005

(2005) Source: Federal Transit Administration, National Transit Database for 2005

Analysis of “Reasonableness” of South Corridor LRT Development 1.Capital Cost per mile – selected systems (2007 dollars) 2.Comparative Cost with other Transportation Projects in the Charlotte Area 3.Long-range Transportation Cost Projections 4.Private Sector Investments generated

Capital Cost per Mile, LRT - New Start Projects Cost in 2007 Dollars (Mil.) Charlotte$ 48.2 Dallas$ 60 Denver$ 32 Sacramento$ 13 St. Louis$ 56 Seattle$179 Sources: t/Home.htm

Cost Estimate Increase over time – Selected Charlotte Area Projects Pct. Change from Orig. Cost Estm. To Present LRT South Corridor109 % US Connector305 % I-485, NW Section292 % US 29 – NC 49 Connector327 % Monroe Bypass213 % Sources: CATS and NCDOT TIP

Long-Range Cost Projections to 2030, Mecklenburg County Current Estm. (2006 dollars)YOE Estm. Transit - CATS ½ cent$1.0 B.$ 1.9 B. NCDOT 0.6 B. 0.7 B. Federal 1.6 B. 1.9 B. Totals 3.2 B. 4.5 B. Highways - NCDOT $2.6 B. CDOT 0.5 B. Total$ 3.1 B. Sources: CATS, NCDOT, CDOT

Building Permits and Property Tax Values in South End Building Permits ($ M.)Prop. Tax Value ($ M.) FY 2000$ 232 FY 2003$ 281$ 441 FY 2004$ 301 FY 2005$ 322$515 FY 2006$ 403 Source: City of Charlotte Budget and Evaluation Office

Why is a modal choice important for the South Corridor?

Source: US Census

TRB Report (2000): -Charlotte experienced an average 26.1 minute work trip (an increase of 4.5 minutes, or 20.9% increase since 1990). -Atlanta: 31.2 minutes -Raleigh-Durham: 24.9 min. TTI (2005): Charlotte was 22 nd highest level of congestion in the country and 2 nd highest among cities between 500,000-1m people

Source: Produced by the Charlotte-Mecklenburg County Planning Commission, March 2002

2030 Corridor Plan Source: CATS

Summary / Observations CATS bus operations LRT development Overall quality of life and economic development in the region Long-range vision

Thank You! Edd Hauser, P.E., Ph.D. Professor and Director, Center for Transportation Policy Studies UNC Charlotte 9201 University City Blvd. Charlotte, NC (704)