PUBLIC PASSENGER TRANSPORT IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES

The discussion of the transport situation in developing countries focuses on the questions: Is a system of licensing necessary? How should a fare system be used to control abuse of monopolistic power? Where considered necessary how should subsidies be provided? How can the efficiency of services be measured? What sort of service diversification is possible with modern equipment? and What targets should be set and disciplines imposed on management? The paper concludes that there is a case for licensing public transport vehicles in developing countries but the objectives of the licensing must be reviewed. Monopolies should be distinguished between those which are private and those which are public. Fares can be related only to costs and in some cases these may be only those that are unavoidable. The study also found that subsidies may be necessary but they should be specific and identifiable so that their suitability can be measured. Advantage should be taken of new equipment and techniques to diversify services. The value of a public transport service is best measured by a cost/benefit analysis and evaluation of costs and benefits for particular sections of the community. Management of a transport system was found to consist of a combination of ensuring full use of the capacity provided and a sensitivity toward the needs of users and potential users.

• Supplemental Notes:
  • This paper appears in "Transport Planning in Developing Countries," which is a publication containing the Proceedings of Seminar U of the Summer Annual Meeting at University of Warwick, England during July, 1975.
• Corporate Authors:

  Planning and Transport Res and Computation Co Ltd

  167 Oxford Street
  London W1R 1AH,   England 
• Authors:
  • Hughes, G A
• Publication Date: 1975-7

Media Info

• Features: Appendices; Figures;
• Pagination: p. 45-54
• Serial:
  • Publication of: IRCOBI SECRETARIAT
  • Publisher: IRCOBI (International Research Council on the Biokinetics of Impacts)

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Developing countries; Economic efficiency; Equipment; Fares; Licenses; Public transit; Subsidies; Transportation operations
• Uncontrolled Terms: Efficiency
• Old TRIS Terms: Transportation administration
• Subject Areas: Economics; Highways; Public Transportation; Safety and Human Factors; Society;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00148225
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: P128
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Feb 23 1977 12:00AM