Category: Transportation Economics

  • Mobility as a Market Good

    Let’s face it. All trips have a price – whether it’s the cost of gas, the time-value of waiting in congestion, or a transit fare. Portland State University Center for Transportation Studies Fall 2011 Transportation Seminar Series Speaker: Dr. Roger Chen (Portland State University) Topic: Identifying Market Segments based on Observed Travel and Activity Patterns…

  • Could TriMet become a “free” (or nominally-priced) service?

    There’s been discussion lately about the fare structure of Portland’s transit agencies–both the Streetcar and TriMet itself. Much focuses on the current disconnect between Streetcar pricing (currently a sweetheart deal, especially for Streetcar users who don’t use TriMet-badged services) and the rest of the system. TriMet’s fares are currently above the national average. So here’s…

  • Austerity and transport

    A discussion of the affects of an austerity program on transportation, including public transit.

  • More on the economics of transit use vs driving

    Last week, we highlighted a recent report by the American Public Transit Association which claims that in Portland, an individual can save on average $859 per month–over $10k per year–if one holds a transit pass instead of owning an automobile. To be clear–this claimed savings requires not owning a car (or owning one less than…

  • The plight of the auto-dependent motorist

    A discussion of the “auto dependent” and “choice” motorists.