‘Doom spiral’ a risk for public transit in post-pandemic era

A new study from McGill University warns that cutting public transit service could lead to a "doom spiral" resulting in a collapse of the system.

The researchers describe a vicious circle in which service cuts brought on by budget deficits drive transit users away; this drop in ridership triggers additional service cuts, which lead to further declines in usage.

“Riders are more sensitive to service cuts now than they were pre-pandemic,” explains co-author Ahmed El-Geneidy, a Professor in McGill’s School of Urban Planning. “Our findings emphasize the need for transit agencies to maintain strong service levels to prevent further declines.”

Montreal as a case study

The researchers analyzed data from 169 bus routes operated by the Société de transport de Montréal (STM) between 2018 and 2022, excluding the period where public health restrictions were in place, to capture trends before and after the pandemic on the most common form of transit.

The findings published in Transportation Research Record reveal that ridership is highly elastic, meaning service cuts quickly deter commuters. Post-pandemic, this elasticity has increased, making service reductions even riskier for transit agencies.

This change is probably because many people invested in other modes during the pandemic, allowing them to switch away from transit if service gets worse, say the researchers. Sensitivity to service cuts was highest on the most frequent routes.

What's in a name? Branding boosts ridership

When the researchers examined “10-Minute Max” routes, they found the STM’s efforts to brand specific routes as “frequent” increased ridership.

“Marketing specific routes as frequent is a great way for transit agencies to make their systems more understandable to riders,” explains El-Geneidy. “It sends a signal to people that specific routes are dependable, and that riders do not need to constantly check schedules in order to use them.”

The researchers say they hope their findings will serve as a call to action for policy-makers: investing in public transit is a necessity for long-term resilience, equity and sustainability.

About the study

“If You Cut It Will They Ride? Longitudinal Examination of the Elasticity of Public Transport Ridership in the Post-Pandemic Era” by Paul Redelmeier and Ahmed El-Geneidy was published in Transportation Research Record.

About McGill University 

Founded in Montreal, Quebec, in 1821, McGill University is Canada’s top ranked medical doctoral university. McGill is consistently ranked as one of the top universities, both nationally and internationally. It is a world-renowned institution of higher learning with research activities spanning three campuses, 12 faculties, 14 professional schools, 300 programs of study and over 39,000 students, including more than 10,400 graduate students. McGill attracts students from over 150 countries around the world, its 12,000 international students making up 30% of the student body. Over half of McGill students claim a first language other than English, including approximately 20% of our students who say French is their mother tongue.