The economic evaluation of bus and minibus taxi terminals and transfer facilities

ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The dissertation describes the functions of bus and minibus taxi terminals and transfer facilities. Planning, design and evaluation guidelines are proposed. These proposals are aimed at the following aspects: the geometric features and functional layout of facilities in order to enhance the effective usage thereof by passengers, as well as the smooth flow of vehicles; the location of facilities and traffic control arrangements, which take cognisance of effective traffic flow as well as acceptable walking distance by commuters; and an evaluation methodology which addresses allocative efficiency from an economic viewpoint, supplemented by analysis guidelines which consider distributive efficiency from a viewpoint of equitable distribution of welfare. It is explained how benefits for travellers, the transit operator and the subsidizing authority, and the opportunity costs of supplying the facility can be determined. A model is proposed whereby the non-monetary component of generalised travel costs can be estimated. The use of economic evaluation techniques for the selection and prioritisation of projects is detailed. This is supplemented by an example of an economic evaluation of a proposed bus/minibus taxi terminal. Subsequently it is examined how the design and effectiveness of a real world passenger transport terminal could be affected by the use of the guidelines proposed in the dissertation. The dissertation, lastly, deals with welfare distribution and the more equitable community accessibility and mobility which can be brought about by the creation and use of passenger transport terminals and transfer facilities. Also discussed is the accommodation of welfare distribution with an economic evaluation as a means of achieving greater equity or fairness and the ways in which this can be done.