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BURK-KLEINPETER, INC. was
retained by the Louisiana– Mississippi–Alabama Rapid
Rail Transit Commission to determine the feasibility
of and requirements for commuter rail service
linking the Gulfport/Biloxi area with the New
Orleans employment hub.
Through surveys and other research, BKI determined
that the basis for rail service demand were Gulf
Coast residents working in New Orleans and cruise
ship guests traveling from the City to the Coast.
BKI projected ridership by route segment for both
commuter and non-commuter trips. The firm developed
and evaluated alternative operation scenarios to
determine how these met the forecast demand. BKI
then completed a financial analysis based on capital
costs and operating revenues and expenses.
The resulting operational plan identified the most
cost-effective schedule, stop locations and fare
structure. It also identified the capital
improvements and external funding sources necessary
to operate a viable commuter service.
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