This page lists the definitions of important terms used on the dashboard for transit modes, fare media, and performance measures.
Transit Mode
Based on TCRP Report 165: Transit Capacity and Quality of Service Manual, Third Edition, TTI researchers categorized available transit services in Texas into four main modes: fixed-route transit, demand-response transit, flexible transit, and vanpool. Fixed-route transit and demand-response transit both have four submodes. The submodes are defined in the following sections.
Fixed-Route Transit
- Trolley-replica bus service—fixed-route bus service that uses rubber-tired vehicles with an exterior designed to look like a streetcar from the early 1900s and are not powered by electric current from overhead wires.
- Local bus service—fixed-route bus service that uses rubber-tired passenger vehicles that operate on roadways with predetermined routes and schedules, typically within the city limits.
- Regional bus service—fixed-route bus service that uses rubber-tired passenger vehicles that operate on roadways with predetermined routes and schedules and connects two urbanized areas (UZAs) or rural areas with a UZA. The term is used to avoid confusion between this kind of service and the private intercity bus service.
- Commuter bus service—fixed-route bus service that provides at least 5 miles of closed-door service, typically connecting outlying areas to a limited number of central city stops and typically featuring peak scheduling.
Demand-Response Transit
Demand-response transit is a form of public transportation characterized by flexible routing and scheduling of small to medium-sized vehicles operating in a shared-ride mode between pickup and drop-off locations according to passengers’ needs.
- General-public demand-response service—demand-response service that responds to requests from the general public.
- Limited-eligibility demand-response service—demand-response service that responds to requests only from defined rider groups, often older adults and people with disabilities.
- ADA paratransit service—demand-response paratransit service required by the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) for eligible people with disabilities within ¾ mile on either side of fixed-route services. Transit agencies can operate a separate ADA paratransit service and can use the demand-response service for the general public to meet ADA paratransit requirements.
Flexible Transit Service
Flexible transit service combines attributes of fixed-route, fixed-schedule service and demand-response service, including route-deviation service (also called flex route) and point-deviation service.
Vanpool/Carpool
Vanpools/carpools provide shared rides in vans, buses, or sedans between homes or a central location (such as a park-and-ride lot) to a regular destination. The same group of riders uses the vehicle each day; driving duties may be assigned to one of the riders (possibly in exchange for a reduced or eliminated fare or limited after-hours use of the vehicle) or rotated among the riders.
Fare Media
| Fare Media | Description |
| Exact Change | Fare is paid when boarding via the exact amount of money. |
| Personal Check | Fare is paid when boarding via a personal check. |
| Single Ticket | Fare is paid when boarding via a piece of paper issued by the transit agency. |
| Token | Fare is paid when boarding via an item resembling a coin issued by the transit agency. |
| Smart Card | Fare is prepaid and loaded onto a card issued by the transit agency. The card is refillable and has a chip inside that stores information. |
| Ticket Book | Fare is prepaid for more than one trip without a discount. |
| Ticket Pass | Fare is prepaid for more than one trip with a discount. |
| Prepaid Voucher | Fare is prepaid for a type of transit service over a certain period. |
| Payroll Deduction | Fare is deducted from payroll for a type of transit service over a certain period. |
| Mobile Payment | Fare is paid when boarding via a mobile device. |
| Open Payment | Fare is paid when boarding via payment options such as Apple Pay or credit card. |
| Money Order | Fare is paid when boarding via a money order. |
| Deductible Account | Fare is prepaid and deducted from an account set by the transit agency when pickup is made. |
Performance Measures
Fare Recovery Ratio
Fare recovery ratio is the percentage of passenger fares in the total operating expenses. Passenger fares are the revenues earned from carrying passengers.
Operating Cost
Operating costs are all expenditures associated with activities regarding dispatching and running vehicles in a revenue service to carry passengers, including administrative and clerical support.
Passenger
A passenger is an individual onboard, boarding, or alighting from a revenue transit vehicle.
Revenue Service (Miles and Hours)
Revenue service is when a transit vehicle is providing transportation and is available to carry passengers. Revenue service is measured in hours and miles. Revenue service is not associated with collection of fares.
Unlinked Passenger Trips (Boarding / Ridership)
Unlinked passenger trips are the number of passengers who board transportation vehicles. Passengers are counted each time they board vehicles no matter how many vehicles they use to travel from their origin to their destination. For the demand-response mode, this number includes personal care attendants and companions as long as they are not employees of the transit agency in the course of their work assignment.