A comparison of subsidized fixed-route and flexible-route feeder bus systems is presented.
Mathematical models are formulated to maximize welfare for the two feeder bus systems,
subject to a subsidy constraint. Service-zone size, headway, and fare are the decision
variables in the analyses. For subsidy operation it is demonstrated that the equilibrium
demands for the two systems are different because of their specific service attributes, and
that the optimal fare for a flexible-route system is generally higher than for a fixed-route …

Analytic models are used to conduct a comparison under equilibrium demand conditions of
welfares for fixed-route conventional bus and flexible-route subscription bus systems for
providing feeder services. Optimization models are formulated to maximize welfare for the
two feeder bus systems, subject to a break-even constraint. Service zone size, headway,
and fare are the decision variables in these analyses. For break-even operation it is shown
that the equilibrium demands for the two systems are different due to their specific service …