ROLE OF THE INTERCITY BUS IN RURAL PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION. ABRIDGMENT

The intercity bus industry services over 14,000 cities and communities which have no alternative form of common carrier transportation. This comprehensive service is provided by 1000 independent bus companies which cater to the personal travel market, providing greater mobility to the less affluent, the handicapped, the elderly, and the young. However, the intercity bus industry's position in the market is insecure and unstable. The results are discussed of a comprehensive study by the Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC) which shows that the general growth and prosperity of the industry has been dimmed by shrinkage of passenger demand and reduced profitability, particularly on regular route passenger service. The conclusions and recommendations of the ICC report are also discussed. It is noted that the need for operating and capital assistance for transportation in rural areas can no longer be ignored. Legislation is being considered in Congress, and a Highway Mass Transit Bill has been approved which contains a provision for specific designation of $20 million annually over 1 years to subsidize operations of intercity bus service in small urban and rural areas. A bill (S2441) has been adopted in the Senate which provides that the private intercity bus industry would be eligible for participation in the $100 million annual assistance program for rural and small urban areas. Meanwhile planners should investigate the feasibility of using the potential of 1000 or so already operating private bus companies in solving some intracommunity transportation problems on a subcontracting basis.