The choice between bus and light rail transit: a stylised cost-benefit analysis model

Raffaele Grimaldi, Antonio Laurino and Paolo Beria

MPRA Paper from University Library of Munich, Germany

Abstract: In the last 20 years light rail and tramway schemes have been introduced in many European cities. The effects of these schemes over public transport patronage, and the benefits they have generated, seem to have sometimes been overestimated. The availability of some experiences helps in deriving some reflections about the circumstances in which light rail schemes can be truly convenient compared to bus systems. This paper tries to give a contribution by developing a simplified model to support the choice between keeping a bus corridor or upgrading towards a light rail system. The choice is analysed on the basis of a parametrical socio-economic cost-benefit analysis. All the parameters introduced and used for a numerical simulation are discussed and some typical values from the literature are given. On the basis of these values, some feasibility abaci are drawn.

Keywords: cost-benefit analysis; bus; tram; light rail; transit; public transport (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: D61 H54 L92 R42 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2010
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-cmp and nep-ure
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:pra:mprapa:24872

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