PUBLIC PRIVATE COOPERATION FOR BETTER TRANSPORTATION

As they search for ways to cope with increasingly tight budgets, many public transit agencies are finding new partners within the private sector. More and more frequently, merchants and businesses are sharing responsibility for financing or marketing transit services. Individual arrangements vary, but many businesses, acknowledging the importance of public transit, are working with transit agencies to increase ridership and improve the quality of service and operating efficiency. Private sector cooperation currently takes many forms. Ridesharing programs are a popular means of involving the private sector in transit. Transit officials have long argued that employers who offer free parking as an employee fringe benefit should offer a comparable benefit (such as transit passes) to transit riders. Merchants have found that joint promotions with transit agencies are an effective method of advertising that also brings customers to their doors. In some instances, the business community has subsidized a desired route to insure its continued operation. Some businesses have even organized and operated transportation services. Firms have contributed funds, staff time, and other corporate resources to build or rebuild local transit facilities. Often public transit agencies and facilities that are well served by transit benefit from joint advertising campaigns. Greater cooperation between the public and private sectors in providing transportation services is the wave of the future. Examples are given in the following areas: cooperative agreements, employer passes, fare subsidy, marketing, special services, and management techniques.

• Corporate Authors:

  Urban Mass Transportation Administration

  400 7th Street, SW
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Publication Date: 0

Media Info

• Features: Photos;
• Pagination: 36 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Advertising; Cooperation; Economic development; Employers; Management; Marketing; Private enterprise; Public transit; Ridesharing; Subsidies
• Uncontrolled Terms: Business development
• Old TRIS Terms: Passes
• Subject Areas: Administration and Management; Economics; Finance; Highways; Planning and Forecasting; Public Transportation; Society; I10: Economics and Administration;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00386392
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS, USDOT
• Created Date: Jun 28 1984 12:00AM