Date: July 1, 2021
Author(s): Alexander Murray
Abstract
Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LA Metro), which provides most transit services in the county, has studied various improvements to bus services to boost service quality and increase ridership. One method to improve bus service reliability is to allow for all-door boarding on bus services. Traditionally, transit services in the United States have passengers board through the front of the bus, to facilitate fare payment, while having passengers alight, or exit, through the rear doors. This process can lead to significant delays at stops, depending on the number of boarding passengers. Boarding and alighting make up a majority of vehicle dwell time or the length of time a transit vehicle is stationary at a scheduled stop. In response, LA Metro has begun piloting an all-door boarding policy, with fare card validators at each door. This research examined the impact of all-door boarding on dwell time on three pilot bus lines: Lines 720, 754 and J. This research found that all-door boarding in LA Metro’s network results in a 6.5-second-per-stop reduction in dwell time. All-door boarding on Lines 720 and 754 resulted in a 16% reduction in dwell time per passenger boarding when comparing data before and after the policy was implemented.
About the Project
Metro is currently engaged in various efforts to improve bus speeds to increase transit’s attractiveness and boost ridership . All Door Boarding is one program Metro is considering to reduce bus stop dwell times by allowing passengers with a valid TAP card, or other fare media, to board the bus through any available door, rather than the traditional system of boarding through the front of the bus and alighting through the rear doors. My project will provide a comprehensive review of All Door Boarding and will provide recommendations on how to cost effectively and equitably expand the program to other lines within Metro’s bus network. The research will analyze various factors, including the COVID-19 pandemic and Metro’s Free Fare Initiative, and will make the business case for future All Door Boarding expansions.