The results indicate that transit riders are twice as responsive to changes in these factors in the long run compared to the short run. Attempts to balance transit budgets by increasing fares and reducing service quality are thus likely to result in higher subsidies and deficits. Often, transit authorities increase fares or reduce services in the short term to balance budgets, but these strategies could reduce future ridership. In the long run, changes in prices and service attributes affect the number of potential riders through their impacts on choice of residence, job location, and spending on private transportation. Generally, higher values of elasticity imply that consumers are more responsive to changes in price, costs, service levels or other factors than when their elasticity values are lower.
Schedules change half-yearly, and price changes depend on mandatory public hearings.
From 1978 to 1980, average ridership increased from 402 to 421 riders per station. After 1984, ridership rose to 333 riders per station by the Fall of 1986. The average lag is about 1 year. Similar results are found for service attributes. Adding one peak train to a 10 station line would increase ridership by 42 riders in the short run.