Weather shapes bus ridership, but cost and shelters can change the equation
What makes someone decide to take—or skip—the bus on a cold, rainy, hot or smoky day?
New research led by the University of Colorado Denver examines how weather influences bus ridership in Denver. Analyzing nearly 44.3 million rider experiences from June 2022 to September 2023, the study found that cold weather consistently decreases ridership, beginning within hours and persisting throughout the day. Rain also discouraged bus use, but its impact was limited to the first few hours, suggesting people may postpone or modify trips instead of skipping them entirely.
While heat lowered ridership on very hot days, it was associated with immediate increases, particularly at stops without shelters. The study's authors recommend considering factors like rider health, comfort, and protection from the elements, as well as fare strategies and shaded shelters to enhance weather resilience in transportation planning.
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