Commuter and Express Bus Service in the SCAG Region: A Policy Analysis of Public and Private Operations

US Transportation Collectionhttps://doi.org/10.21949/15275331982PDFResearch PaperSouthern California Association of Governments. Transit SectionUnited States. Department of Transportation. Urban Mass Transportation AdministrationUnited States. Department of Transportation. Urban Mass Transportation AdministrationCalifornia;Southern CaliforniaPublic transitPolicy, legislation and regulationLegislationExpress busesOperating costsPrivate enterprisePrivatizationPeak faresPeak hour trafficPolicy analysisUrban transportation policyeconomic policyneoliberalismDOT-I-83-3This report describes the extent of commuter and express bus services and ridership in the Southern California region, comparing the economics of public and private operations from the cost and revenue standpoints. The institutional and regulatory issues affecting public and private provision of commuter bus transportation are examined; alternative public and private operating scenarios are evaluated. It is concluded that all transit districts and municipal operators in the region should determine the potential cost savings to be achieved by converting commuter/express bus operations to private agencies. Immediate steps should be taken to remove any institutional barriers to conversion to private service, including pressing for any necessary changes in state or federal legislation. Steps should be taken to integrate private bus services into the regional service, including dissemination of schedules and offering of transfer discounts. All public operators should promote expansion of private commuter/express services in all ways possible.138