Transit Modes Compared

Name	Description	Availability	Speed	Density	Costs
		Destinations served	Passenger travel speeds	Passenger volumes	Cost per trip
Heavy rail	Relatively large, higher-speed trains, operating entirely on separate rights-of-way, with infrequent stops, providing service between communities.	Limited to major corridors in large cities	High	Very high	Very high
Light Rail Transit (LRT)	Moderate size, medium-speed trains, operating mainly on separate rights-of-way, with variable distances between stations, providing service between urban neighborhoods and commercial centers.	Limited to major corridors	Medium	High	High
Streetcars (also called trams or trolleys)	Relatively small, lower-speed trains, operating primarily on urban streets, with frequent stops which provide service along major urban corridors.	Limited to major corridors	Medium	High	High
Fixed route bus transit	Buses on scheduled routes.	Widely available in urban areas	Low to medium	High	Low to medium
Bus Rapid Transit (BRT)	A bus system with features that provide a high quality of service.	Limited to major corridors	Medium to high	High	Low to medium
Express bus	Limited stop bus service designed for commuters and special events.	Limited to major corridors	High	High	Low to medium
Ferry services	Boats used to transport people and vehicles.	Limited to major corridors	Low to medium	Low to medium	Medium to high
Paratransit	Small buses or vans that provide door-to-door, demand-response service.	Widely available	Low	Low	High
Personal Rapid Transit (PRT)	Small, automated vehicles that provide transit service, generally on tracks.	Limited to major corridors	Low to medium	Low to medium	Medium to high
Vanpool	Vans used for ridesharing.	Widely available	Medium to high	High	Low
Shared taxi	Private taxis that carry multiple customers.	Limited to busy corridors	Medium to high	Low to medium	Medium to high
Taxi	Conventional taxi service.	Widely available	Medium to high	Low	High

Source: Introduction to Multi-Modal Transportation Planning, Victoria Transport Policy Institute. 2012