PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION IN URBAN AREAS

The major role of public transportation in large cities seems to be to strengthen the central business district and to maintain its prominence in the urban area. Public transportation's role in small urban areas is somewhat different. Whether public transportation systems in small or medium-sized urban areas could be designed to effectively compete with the private automobile is questionable. The objectives of a public transportation system will vary depending on the size of the area and geographical location. The assumption that as population grows, the demand for the product will grow, is false. Most public transportation systems are product oriented. A system should be concerned that its process remains a consumer-satisfying process. Examples are quoted to illustrate the fact that reduction in unit price does not greatly increase the demand for its product. The few innovations that have been implemented in public transportation, have been oriented toward specific technology or equipment. However, technology that yields new equipment and lower operating costs does not necessarily ensure an increase in demand for the service. The factor of primary importance is service. The observation is made that if the automobile is permitted to continue free competition with public transportation, the latter will continue to lose.