Masters Theses

Date of Award

8-1995

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science

Major

Civil Engineering

Major Professor

Arun Chatterjee

Committee Members

Frederick J. Wegmann, Stephen H. Richards

Abstract

The cost to operate conventional transit in urban areas is so high that many urban transit systems in the United States operate at a deficit which many cities and states government are no longer willing and in some cases, not able to pay for. Large sections of some urban areas are not being adequately served by conventional fixed route and fixed schedule transit. In Philadelphia the inadequate traditional transit service in some sections of the city has given rise to an innovative paratransit supply service known locally as "a hack or hacks". A hack is a privately owned automobile used for public transportation purposes at a prearranged fare between the driver and the user. Hacks operate out of informal terminals because they do not meet the requirements mandated by the state of Pennsylvania to operate public transportation. It was observed that hacks are playing a meaningful role in meeting the mobility needs of poor people who live in certain sections of Philadelphia that are not adequately served by traditional transit systems. A one month survey of drivers of hacks and their passengers was conducted to determine their characteristics; for example, their social and professional status, their income level and vehicle ownership etc. It was determined that the hack operation transports substantial amount of passengers and generates substantial revenues on an annual basis without government intervention. The operators of the hack service were found to be mostly men and majority of the users were women. Both operators and users varied in age from the early twenties to late sixties. It was also observed that the peak hours operation of hacks cannot be thought of in terms of peak hours for conventional transit services. Hacks level of ridership was uniformly distributed throughout the day, unlike conventional transit. It is recommended that concerned public agencies assist in developing hack into a viable transit mode by relaxing some existing regulation and assist in planning while staying clear of all subsidies. It is also recommended that further studies be conducted on the overall productivity of vehicles used as hacks.

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