AMERICAN PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION ASSOCIATION (APTA)
Executive Summary
New technologies, data capabilities and business platforms have disrupted transportation, rapidly changing how people move and redefining urban mobility.
Ride-hailing and ridesharing companies have expanded mobility options. Autonomous vehicles will bring new opportunities for consumers as public transit agencies and other service providers integrate autonomous technology into their service offerings, potentially reducing operational costs. Technological change and generational change will make people more likely to use multi-transit options and will allow the transit industry to reach new users. For example, new technologies and travel options are expected to reduce the affinity for car ownership, particularly as younger travelers are more open to using multiple modes to commute. The changing travel patterns will not, as some critics claim, reduce the need for public transportation. In fact, these changes further underscore the role of public transportation as the backbone of new mobility.
Consumers stand to benefit from the rapid change in urban mobility by having more options potentially at less cost. However, the changes will also raise a number of important challenges. Without proper guidance from policymakers, autonomous vehicle and ride-hailing services likely will lead to more traffic congestion. However, continued reliance on, and fine tuning of public transit can help ensure a positive outcome. Public transit remains the backbone of a multi-transit lifestyle because of its space efficiency—it can move more people using less space than single occupancy vehicles. Initiatives such as dedicated bus lanes and congestion pricing are supported by the public because those measures help reduce congestion.
Public transportation agencies and transportation authorities have a powerful role to play in negotiating future mobility. They are uniquely positioned as “mobility managers” to help organize transportation options throughout an area. The role of mobility manager means shifting from simply providing traditional transit services to coordinating a diverse portfolio of services. Managing mobility will be key in a future when customers have the option to take a train, bus, bicycle, autonomous vehicle or any combination of modes to get to their destination. Through mobility management, transit agencies can be responsive to the customer while ensuring accessibility, efficiency and equity.
The paper’s findings are based on recent research from the National Academy of Sciences, and new analysis by the APTA Research and Policy Development Department, including the results of APTA’s 2018 Mobility Survey. For the survey, one thousand adults nationwide were polled on wide-ranging transportation topics, producing insightful results on the future of mobility. Polling questions were based on results from a qualitative focus group of millennial commuters.
KEY FINDING #1: Seventy-Seven Percent of Americans Think Public Transit is the Backbone of a Multi-Transit Lifestyle.
Advances in technology have allowed vehicles to operate with increased autonomy and efficiencies. Data capabilities have evolved and enable effortless trip planning and streamlined information sharing, and new business platforms have supported the explosion of ride-hailing and bikesharing services.
These changes have brought new partnerships and opportunities to expand and enhance mobility services. Transportation and technology industries are partnering to develop autonomous vehicles (AVs), particularly for fleet-based businesses that are expected to have fewer regulatory barriers and benefit from larger operational savings. AV fleet operations in the United States are estimated to cost 35 cents per mile compared to the $3.50 per mile cost of a taxi—a 90 percent price reduction.2 The proliferation of on-demand sharing services has changed mobility, with consumers considering such services as a convenient alternative to car ownership. Public transit agencies have partnered with ride-hailing/carsharing companies to provide microtransit (shared transportation services with dynamic routes), paratransit (point-to-point services without a set route typically used by older and disabled travelers) or service in low-density areas. Data shows that when public transit is less frequent, ride-hailing companies (such as Uber and Lyft) can fill the gaps. That may lead to efficiency gains for public transit with AVs and future collaboration with ride-hailing companies. Other consumer-friendly tech advances — real-time data, mobile ticketing and payment, and universal payment — benefit travelers on multiple transit systems.
Customer preferences are also shifting to further benefit public transportation. Over the past decade, consumers’ views about cars and car ownership have been changing as younger generations see car ownership less as a tool of freedom and more as part of a diverse menu of mobility choices. Many millennials favor transit-oriented living and consider public transit the backbone of a multi-transit lifestyle. These preferences will enhance the success of future transportation options as millennials become the largest category in the workforce.
In this new mobility landscape, the public transportation industry will not only be affected, but will also have a central role in shaping how new technologies are deployed and services integrated. In APTA’s 2018 Mobility Survey, 77 percent of participants agreed that public transportation is the backbone of a multi-transit lifestyle. Public transit will have to bring together a wide variety of services to favor communities and their development goals.
KEY FINDING #2: Consumers Focused on Public Transportation, Bus Lanes and Additional Funding
As disruption changes mobility and demographic shifts move us toward a multi-transit lifestyle, the public transportation industry will have a central role in addressing new technologies and services that benefit consumers, communities and urban mobility.
With an estimated 16.5 million additional commuters by 2030, U.S. roads will become even more congested. Public transit will provide a high-capacity mobility alternative, as it remains the most efficient mode of travel, transporting the most people in the smallest space. Cities and transit providers will have to strive for transportation systems designed to move the most people in the most efficient ways. The coming changes offer many opportunities to increase the efficiency and reach of bus and paratransit services, and according to APTA’s 2018 Mobility Survey, Americans support strategies such as bus lanes and congestion pricing. Our current congestion could be made worse with an increase in single-occupancy ride-hailing and autonomous vehicles. Guiding change and promoting shared and active transportation modes like bicycling and walking are key ways to address the problem.
High-quality public transportation will be more important than ever to allow business districts to attract and retain high-performing workers. As public transit agencies use data, AV technologies and new business models such as ride-hailing, overall service will improve. APTA foresees a long-term increase in the percentage of public transit commuters. In fact, in APTA’s 2018 Mobility Survey, 68 percent of respondents support additional funding for public transportation; 60 percent of respondents support bus lanes, even if parking is lost, and 50 percent of millennials support congestion pricing.
KEY FINDING #3: Transit as Mobility Manager: 74 Percent of Millennials Would Use a Multi-Transit App
The various mobility services need to be organized into a network that consumers will be able to use. Public transit agencies are poised to perform the role of regional mobility manager.
As part of this role, agencies can guide regions to adopt principles and tools associated with Mobility-as-a-Service (MaaS). Current transit apps already allow consumers to view information on many shared and active transportation modes. In APTA’s 2018 Mobility Survey, 74 percent of millennials said they would use a MaaS app to coordinate and pay for different types of transportation. Agencies could use current platforms to let users combine trips, centralize payment systems and get real-time travel information.
Local governments will need to work with public transit agencies to rethink how to manage curb space on public streets and design multimodal hubs to incorporate fleets of AVs. Without guidance and rules, there could be a massive increase in city traffic. Cities that integrate a strong public transit system with ride-hailing and AV services can create new public space or opportunities for business development through reduced land requirements for parking.
Establishing public transit agencies as a manager for services will ensure a more equitable and customer-centered transportation experience. While mobility is constantly evolving, the mission of public transit agencies to provide transportation for all users regardless of income or ability remains the same. Public transit protects the public interest. For example, coupled with high-quality transit, AVs could lead to expanded mobility for the elderly and disabled. The public sector can also help to protect the public interest by developing standards for data privacy.
As public transportation agencies morph into mobility managers, they can help ensure that market competition benefits the consumer and improves their commutes.
Key Takeaway
The research shows that consumers view public transportation as pivotal to the future of mobility. The reasons are clear: 1) public transportation can move more people efficiently in less space, 2) as travel options continue to grow, consumers will need a way to make the various travel choices clear and routine, and 3) as consumers recognize growing income inequality and shrinking data privacy, the need to protect the public interest and serve the vulnerable will grow as well. Therefore, public transportation will serve an even larger role in the public life of cities around the nation.
Download full version (PDF): The Transformation of the American Commuter
About the American Public Transportation Association (APTA)
www.apta.com
To strengthen and improve public transportation, APTA serves and leads its diverse membership through advocacy, innovation and information sharing. APTA and its members and staff work to ensure that public transportation is available and accessible for all Americans in communities across the country.
Tags: American Public Transportation Association, APTA, commuters, Ridesharing
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