Promoting Rural Transport Services 4:2:a Rural Transport Knowledge Base Rural Travel and Transport Program 20011 THE PROVISION OF RURAL TRANSPORT SERVICES: AN AGENDA FOR REFORM

Currently many countries suffer from very poor service provision and high transport charges. Although most services are provided by the private sector vehicle utilisation is low, cartels are common and government regulation is weak. In this paper key problems are identified which might be solved through various forms of intervention. The following key issues have been identified as the major constraints on the satisfactory development of rural transport services: • Low density of demand for transport • Poor quality infrastructure • Poor diversity of vehicle types • Uncompetitive transport markets • Lack of understanding by government donors and other agencies of the potential benefits of increasing the efficiency with which transport services are provided. Key issues! Controlling transport cartels, reducing tariffs and increasing service frequency! Reducing import prices of vehicles and parts! Devising training programmes to indicate the advantages of slow and careful driving and the importance of routine maintenance! Consider ways that surplus capacity of old vehicles may be removed from the market! Promoting the use of Intermediate Means of Transport! Devising methods to financially support a minimum of frequency of transport services that cannot be supported through other mean