Does walkability around feeder bus-stops influence rapid-transit station boardings?

Abstract

Numerous studies have focused on the potential influence of land-use and built-environment features around rapid-transit stations (e.g. heavy or light rail or bus rapid-transit) as key determinants or mediators of patronage. Many find statistically significant associations, yet their effects are relatively weak as compared to demographic, socio-economic, service quality, and larger-scale network accessibility factors. Yet most studies have ignored areas surrounding stops on bus lines that feed into rapid-transit stations. This study examines Los Angeles’s multimodal transit network to understand how walkability around feeder bus-stops might affect boardings at LA Metro’s rapid-transit stations. A multilevel generalized linear model is implemented and fitted with bus-stop walkability data and relevant controls to explain the number of linked person-trips from feeder bus-stops to rapid-transit stations and how this might be associated with land use and design characteristics around feeder bus stops. Results indicate a weak but statistically significant influence and policy implications are discussed.