One type of transportation that brought change in cities was the omnibus. The omnibus can be seen as a privately owned MTA. An omnibus is a horse-drawn coach, that carried passengers on a fixed route for a fixed price. Entrepreneurs picked up on Abraham Brower’s idea, making a fee of around one shilling per rider. With the intent of making money, most omnibuses ran through highly populated areas, driving riders from one destination spot to another.
Along with the commuter railroad, mass transit allowed for expansion in areas of settlement. Companies also laid rails that allowed for faster and smoother rides. Traffic was less interfered and the amount of passengers carried nearly tripled. As a result, mass transit has become more reliable, following fixed routes and schedules. This was the original MTA that is, in modern times, what many deem as a necessity rather than a luxury.
