In Transit, Is Better Station Architecture Worth the Cost?

Do transit stations with sleeker designs boost ridership? Evidence suggests that the answer may be yes. But does that mean that we should spend limited transit funds on better architecture?

1 minute read

February 3, 2014, 11:00 AM PST

By Anna Bergren Miller @abergrenmiller


A recent study out of the University of Naples compared ridership on two similar lines, only one of which had colorful, recently-redesigned stations. The researchers found that riders were willing to put up with more, including higher costs and longer wait times, at the nicer stations.

But, Eric Jaffe points out, station architecture shouldn’t be privileged over all other improvements. “In a world with infinite resources, no doubt all riders would want transit stations to be unparalleled destinations,” he writes. “In this actual world, at this particular time, let’s not forget that even the nicest hallway is just another way to get from here to there.”

Friday, January 31, 2014 in Atlantic Cities

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I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

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