PASSENGER TRANSPORT INTERCHANGES-THEORY PRACTICE ON MERSEYSIDE

BUS/RAIL and CAR/RAIL interchanges offer prospects of more competitive and viable public transport systems, at the same time relieving congestion in city centers. In the absence of practical experience in this country outside London, before committing heavy investment on these concepts, the Merseyside Passenger Transport Authority has initiated a demonstration program of interchange experiments. The article briefly reviews the Prima Facie Case for interchanges and discusses the factors considered and techniques adopted by MPTA consultants in selecting and designing the experiments. Altogether eight BUS/RAIL and eight CAR/RAIL schemes were planned, to be introduced in 33 sequential phases. Implementation during 1972/73 is discussed and practical problems encountered are highlighted. /Author/