In a post on Human Transit, Jarrett Walker writes that driverless rapid transit systems “break the connection between frequency and labor costs.”
When you have a driver on every vehicle, the labor cost is the dominant cost of operations. So when you have to cut service, as many North American agencies are doing this year, you end up cutting frequencies, starting with late night and weekend.
Walker acknowledges that light rail has its advantages. Capital costs are lower and systems can be more easily integrated into the urban landscape. But with stable operating costs, he argues, automated systems can maintain frequent service at all times of day or night and contribute to vibrant cities. Link to full story in Human Transit.
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