Attitudes toward Intercity Bus Travel in Texas

Abstract

As required by the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991, a percentage of each state's public transportation funds must be spent on intercity bus transportation development and support, unless the governor certifies intercity bus needs are being adequately met. A study was initiated to produce data necessary to define the current state of the intercity bus industry in Texas. To accomplish this objective, surveys were developed and distributed to the general population, bus riders, and bus companies in the state. A review of cities currently being served by the intercity bus industry was also made. General-population respondents indicated that they would be more likely to ride a bus if there were more express bus service, better station locations, and higher air and train fares. Bus riders indicated they would ride more often if there were improved security measures at stations and on buses, more leg room, more comfortable seats, adherence to schedules, and lower bus fares. Government-owned multimodal transportation facilities, operating subsidies for rural routes, and billboards and signs for advertising intercity service were suggested by bus companies as ways to aid the industry. The review of cities currently served by the intercity bus industry revealed that only 21 Texas cities with populations over 5,000 were further than 16.1 km (10 mi) from intercity bus service, and that most of these cities had access to transit service to an intercity bus stop.