Public transport operators use short turns for a variety of reasons, including delays, infrastructure limitations, and uneven passenger demand.

[3]: 10  While more economical, these short turns do not necessarily reduce the number of buses needed to operate the full amount of service along the route.

This practice can allow a vehicle to regain time in its schedule, and it benefits passengers waiting at stops in the opposite direction.

The dictionary quotes an 1855 document describing stagecoach services in Cornwall, which were successful at that time: "The people patronized the vans to such an extent that short-running coaches were few.

"[7] Short turn services pose a unique challenge for trolleybuses, electric buses that draw power from an overhead line.

Some more advanced trolleybuses are equipped with batteries or engines for limited operation away from their overhead lines, which allows for short turns at more locations.

[8] Battery technology continues to improve, and increasing numbers of trolleybuses are equipped to operate "off-wire," enabling flexibility for short turns and other service changes.

Streetcars (trams) require on-street or off-street infrastructure to operate short turn services.

This is seen with some F trains, which short turn at Kings Highway instead of running their full route to the line's southern terminus of Coney Island.

When RER services are changed for disruptions, maintenance works, or special events, the mission codes are updated to indicate trains' new destinations.

The first character, D, indicates that it is destined for Noisy-le-Grand – Mont d'Est, one of two designated short turn termini on the line's A4 branch to Marne-la-Vallée–Chessy.

The pictured information display shows planned maintenance work on the A1 branch to Saint-Germain-en-Laye, which requires trains to short turn at Le Vésinet–Le Pecq, indicated by the mission code "XOUD.

Following the closure of the Zoo/Stadion turntable, all services operate along the full 13.3 km (8.3 mi) line from Oberbarmen to Vohwinkel.

The authors of the study argued that operating costs on Line 3 could be reduced by 4% with the mathematically optimized short turn routes generated by their model, while maintaining a similar or better experience for passengers.