PUBLIC TRANSPORT IN THIRD WORLD CITIES

This paper presents a review of public transport operations in cities of the Third World. It is shown that although this is a growth industry in most of these cities, the supply of conventional public transport is inadequate and para-transit systems have developed to fill the void. Operating costs and revenues are examined and although most undertakings are shown not to be profitable, it is explained that little support is provided by either central or local government. The development of para-transit systems is reviewed and the roles that these systems play and the problems they create are examined. The transport problems of low income communities are also considered, including the provision of transport to the urban poor and expenditure on transport. (a) (TRRL)