Adapted from the Daniel Lichtenstein's Master Thesis, "A Coordination Plan for the Austin Transit System and the University of Texas Shuttle Bus System." The University of Texas at Austin, Graduate School of Business. May 1974. Pages 10-14.

History of the Two Systems

In 1955 Austin Transit Corporation (ATC) took over the operation of the city transit service. ATC, whose parent company is American Transit Corporation, operated the system continuously as a private company under a franchise from the City of Austin from 1955 until July 31, 1970[1]. In January, 1970, the City offered ATC a new five-year franchise. But ATC refused to accept this offer, partially because of a failure of the city to prohibit issuance of a franchise to any other firm for the operation of a shuttle bus system for the University of Texas, a policy which Austin Transit Corporation advocated[2]. It is worth mentioning at this point that it appears that ATC would now be willing to cooperate with the current shuttle bus system in developing a coordination plan between the two because of the present energy situation. In August, 1970 Transportation Enterprises, Incorporated (TEI), the company which currently operates the University Shuttle Bus System, received approval from the City to operate the city transit system. This arrangement lasted until March, 1971, when the City of Austin again contracted with ATC to resume operation of the system. Under the terms of this contract, ATC provides the buses, facilities, and personnel needed to manage and operate the city transit system. Also, the City of Austin may make monthly payments to ATC in order that ATC achieves an operating ratio of ninety-five per cent for the bus system if fare box revenues alone do not produce this figure[3].

Currently the ATC furnishes forty diesel-powered buses, each of which has a seating capacity of forty-five persons. These buses cover twenty-one routes throughout most of the city. All are air-conditioned and have an average life expectancy of fifteen years[4].

Before TEI began operating a shuttle bus system for the University of Texas students, faculty, and staff in September 1969, there were several unsuccessful attempts at providing such a service. In January, 1962, ATC began operating four routes in and around the vicinity of the campus[5]. These routes ran on about fifteen-minute headways and had a fare of ten cents per ride. (Headway is a measure used in evaluating frequency of service of bus routes, as it tells how often a bus goes by its designated stops). The system was partially subsidized by the University from parking fees. This experiment terminated after six weeks due to a lack of ridership[6]. Throughout the remainder of the 1960's, there were other efforts at providing bus services for University students. Some were operated by private dormitories off-campus for their residents only. One bus service for all students began operation under the sponsorship of the University fraternity council. This service was the forerunner of the present shuttle bus system[7].

The present contract between the University Board of Regents and TEI, which was signed September, 1973, and is to last for three years, calls for TEI to render and perform a shuttle bus service for the University. In return, the University pays TEI $7.58 per hour of operation[8]. A shuttle bus committee, consisting of three students, two faculty members, and the Vice-President of Business Affairs at the University, has the responsibility of determining the amount of service, arrangement of routes, the number of buses utilized, and of making various other decisions regarding the type of service to be provided[9]. The University Administration's original goal in supporting this shuttle bus service was two-fold. They felt the service would alleviate traffic congestion around the campus and also reduce the need for additional parking facility construction[10]. A third reason can now be added, that of reducing the fuel consumption of University students, faculty and staff.

TEI is presently furnishing fifty-one diesel-powered buses with seats for forty-four persons each, and serving nine routes. These buses have an average life of five years and none is air-conditioned[11]. They are a school-bus type vehicle, in contrast to the city buses, which are coaches.

Selected Bibliography

[1] Analysis of Existing Transit Systems, Traffic and Transportation Department, City of Austin, Texas, October, 1972, p.4.

[2] Ibid., p. 8.

[3] Ibid., p. 11.

[4] Interview with James Wilson, Shuttle Bus Coordinator, University of Texas Shuttle Bus System, Austin, Texas, February 4, 1974.

[5] Analysis of Existing Transit Systems, op. cit., p. 46.

[6] Ibid., p. 46.

[7] Ibid., p. 46.

[8] Interview with James Wilson, op.cit.

[9] Analysis of Existing Transit Systems, op. cit., p. 49.

[10] Ibid., p. 47.

[11] Interview with James Wilson, op.cit.