POST BUS TRANSPORTATION IN RURAL PENNSYLVANIA A FEASIBILITY STUDY

The purpose of this study was to investigate the feasibility of utilizing existing postal carriers, currently operating in the rural areas of Pennsylvania, as a means of transporting rural residents within sparsely populated rural areas, and between these areas and regional retail, medical and human service centers. Both operational and administrative issues were addressed. From a group of 31 potential routes, five were selected for more detailed study. Projections of operational and administrative costs, and revenue potential were developed for each of the five sites. The researchers concluded that there are not any unsurmountable legal, regulatory economic or operating barriers to combining passenger and mail transportation in rural Pennsylvania, and in fact this may provide a low-cost alternative to offering public transportation service in areas were traditional approaches are not feasible.