Transit Centers

Transit Center Layout

The transit center would have four express gates for buses. There would also be 6 or 7 smaller gates for circulator routes.

These would have parking areas big enough for vans and minibuses. Gates would have seating.

The central hall would also have seats along with ride request terminals and destination and gate displays.

Riders enter a gate by paying fare with a magnetic ticket at a turnstile.

Up to 70 riders, wishing to go to a distant TC, or a local circulator route, can collect at a gate within three minutes.

They then board a bus, without paying fare, in under a minute as on a subway.

The Curitiba bus system, in Brazil, uses a subway style boarding gate for buses. The fast boarding gates are level with the bus deck. An automatic bridge connects the two. Riders in wheelchairs can cross this bridge without assistance. All riders in the gate can board quickly since they have already used tickets to enter the gate.

Just like conventional park and ride facilities a TC would have parking. A TC within a suburban cell should have at least 1000 parking spaces. A TC at Lake Line mall could use 2000 spaces that are not used by shoppers during the week day. For small urban cells the TC parking might consist of only 20 spaces for vans driven by disabled riders.

Fare Collection

Fares are NOT collected by circulator buses. Riders board quickly through both doors without having to stop to pay fare. Fares are paid to enter the TC and to enter gates within the TC. To enter a TC, or gate, riders would use their RFID card (Radio Frequency Identification). Their accounts would be billed.When a taxi-van picks up a small group they would prove they are the ones who reserved the ride by using their RFID cards or by giving their names. Taxi drivers and riders do not have to carry cash.

A TC would differ from a conventional park and ride stop in several ways :

1. A high volume of riders, about 2000, will pass through a TC each morning. The large volume insures that each express bus can pick up a lot of riders at each TC stop.

2. Airport-like amenities such as air conditioning, cushioned seats, and security guards are provided. The TC will be a comfortable and secure place to wait for a ride. Since 2000 use a TC each work day, the facilities cost per rider is low.

3. Demand Responsive Service (DRS) will be provided by a dispatcher.

The Transit Center could have some other unusual facilities:

1. A secure room for private bicycles will protect bikes from theft. A large room will hold many bikes locked to frames. A rider would need an access card to enter the room.

2. Automated rental devices for rental bicycles or mopeds will enable arriving bus riders to go a mile or two to their final destination.

3. Car Share Organizations [1] could provide cars available for hourly rental near the TC. Riders would be able to rent a car a few hours a week for shopping trips or other errand trips. If they can get to work by bus and shop by using rental cars then they don’t need to own a car.

4. A shopping center with a grocery store should be nearby.

5. Child care services at the TC or nearby would make a morning commute much easier for a single parent. Lack of coordination between day care and public transit is a known issue in LA :

“The pool of potential jobs is further reduced for transit-dependent workers who need child-care services. Transportation lines don't necessarily run near available child-care providers, and even if they do, any task that involves leaving the bus and later boarding another one adds significantly to the time to make the journey, Moreno said. “[2]

[1] CSOs in US have 50,000 members. Members are pre-approved to rent cars from the CSO on an hourly basis.

[2] See article from LA Times in chapter on Potential Ridership.

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