ASSESSMENT OF OPERATIONAL BARRIERS AND IMPEDIMENTS TO TRANSIT USE: TRANSIT INFORMATION AND SCHEDULING FOR MAJOR ACTIVITY CENTERS

The decision to use public transit as a means of alternative transportation is a somewhat complex process. The potential rider must know that a public transportation system is available, how to contact that system for information on how to use it, where to go to catch a bus, how to recognize bus stops, which side of the street to stand to catch a bus going to his destination, how to make transfers, etc. Problems encountered in transit experiences can result in a decision to seek other means of transportation. This project provided a preliminary assessment of the issues or problems encountered by existing and potential transit users in their transit experience that may become barriers to using transit. Detailed analyses of two identified barriers with potential to be overcome with a feasible level of effort and investment of resources by transit agencies: the user-friendliness of printed transit information materials; and the level of transit service provided to major activity centers. Summary recommendations are offered to facilitate the elimination of these two identified barriers to transit use throughout Florida, as well as suggestions for future research