There is a fair deal of complexity to this, that the common populace seems to assume isn't being implemented already. Transit is a very complicated prediction/optimization problem
In SF, reaction to pandemic ridership decline was to decrease frequency of most transit. This also unfortunately makes transit less appealing :(
> Transit is a very complicated prediction / optimization problem.
It also depends what you’re optimizing for - is the goal to increase total users of system? Ensure there aren’t empty trains / buses? Have ridership “pay for” operations?
Because having your light rail continue into late night even if sparsely used means people can rely on it as an option. Frequent bus routes even on lesser used routes still can make the overall system more likely to be used.