CONFERENCE ON TRANSPORTATION PARTNERSHIPS: IMPROVING URBAN MOBILITY THROUGH PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS, DALLAS, TEXAS, MARCH 14-15, 1984. WORKSHOP SUMMARIES: MAKING MORE EFFECTIVE USE OF PRIVATE PROVIDERS--PRIVATE BUS OPERATIONS

Public transit has not controlled consts adequately nor is it ready to easily serve needs for mobility in low-density areas. To maintain service with constrained budgets, transit operating agencies increasingly have contracted for service with private providers. Comparable service may be produced at a minimum savings of 35 percent. Because public transit does not provide adequate service to low-density areas, suburban jurisdictions have withdrawn from regional transit authorities. Private providers offer greater flexibility in producing such service. Because private transportation operates in a competitive environment and public transit is characterized by monopoly, private service is characterized by cost control and market orientation. Service contracting focuses transit policy on the riders. Impediments to service contracting can be obercome and such policies promise to be used more frequently.