Postal Bus Feasibility Study

The decline of intercity bus service and worsening fiscal constraints gave rise to the search for new approaches to solving the rural transportation problem. This Postal Bus study was intended to examine the institutional, regulatory, and operational issues associated with the implementation and operation of the postal bus concept in the United States. The postal bus concept basically involves the use of vehicles engaged in the distribution and collection of mail along designated routes to serve passengers as well. Integration of mail and passenger service can be carried out through three arrangements: 1) a private mail carrier (under contract to U.S. Postal Service) carries passengers along its mail distribution routes; 2) a passenger carrier (under contract to U.S. Postal Service) transports mail; or 3) a combination of the first two--a passenger carrier or public body (under contract to a star carrier) provides passenger service. This study involved a review of previous research, documentation of current examples of the concept in the U.S. and in Europe, estimation of potential demand, investigation of applicable regulatory issues, and assessment of possible demonstration sites. Key issues addressed center on the operational and institutional feasibility of the postal bus concept in the U.S. The overall conclusion is that the postal bus appears to be a feasible approach to providing passenger service where none currently exists and for achieving greater efficiencies in the provision of both types of service. As such, the postal bus concept has considerable potential as a rural transportation option.