Ridership vs. Coverage

Designing a bus network always involves trade-offs. One of the biggest is between ridership and coverage — and every transit agency must choose how to balance the two.

Ridership Goals

A ridership-focused network aims to put frequent service where the most people are. That means:

• Buses every 15–30 minutes on major corridors
• Direct routes serving dense, walkable areas
• More riders per bus, less cost per trip

This model helps reduce traffic, supports economic growth, and cuts climate emissions — but it leaves some areas without service.

Coverage Goals

A coverage-focused network spreads service out so that more places have access — even if it’s not frequent. That means:

• Buses every 60 minutes or more in many areas
• Service to less dense and more spread-out neighborhoods
• Everyone has some access, but it’s less convenient

Coverage is essential for equity, especially for people with few or no other transportation options.

Finding the Balance

Most agencies — including Pace — aim to do both. The question is: how much of the budget should go to each?

The ReVision project shows what each approach could look like under full funding. In the “Plus 50” scenarios:

• Ridership: Frequent service in fewer areas, focused on major destinations
• Coverage: Service in more places, with lower frequencies

There’s No One-Size-Fits-All

These are policy choices, not just technical ones. And different communities may need different balances. ReVision helps clarify what’s possible — and what each choice means for riders.