A NEW BUSINESS MODEL FOR BUS RAPID TRANSIT

This paper has characterized Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) systems as the transit industry's newest product and has attempted to articulate the qualities that make it so. Further, an attempt has been made to view the BRT product in the context of a product cycle. Regardless of the phase of the product cycle, there are clear obstacles to the value proposition for BRT, and, of course, just as many opportunities to improve value. Numerous opportunities exist in simply defining the product itself as evidenced by the extensive industry discussions that are leading to legislated program and funding changes. The current regulatory environment and, in many cases, outdated local purchasing policies often preclude creative product development and delivery solutions. In many cases, the ability to successfully put BRT on the streets is very much a cultural issue within the transit agency. This issue is not prone to quick solutions, but rather to relying on small, time-consuming steps forward. As this paper has been developed in literally the last days of TEA-21, the authors are hopeful that a newly reauthorized program, and the regulatory cycle that will necessarily follow, can make progress toward some of the opportunities cited in this paper. A primary issue remaining involves an appropriate role for the federal government to provide incentives to agencies and particularly to fleet manufacturers to conduct business differently - including necessary sharing of financial risks for research and development. Additionally, a fresh look should be taken at an agency's procurement programs to allow new flexibility and creative partnering that will allow full product value to be produced in their markets. There are no easy answers to a better business model, but there are plenty of opportunities to improving the value of the BRT product.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/isbn/1931594120
• Supplemental Notes:
  • Full conference proceedings available on CD-ROM.
• Corporate Authors:

  American Public Transportation Association

  1666 K Street, NW, Suite 1100
  Washington, DC  United States  20006
• Authors:
  • Ahern, B W
  • Campbell-Lorenc, J
• Conference:
  • Bus and Paratransit & Bus Rapid Transit Conference
  • Location: Denver, Colorado
  • Date: 2004-5-2 to 2004-5-6
• Publication Date: 2004

Language

• English

Media Info

• Pagination: 6p

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Bus rapid transit; Bus transit; Business practices; Environment; Flexibility; Procurement; Product development; Public transit; Regulations; Transit authorities
• Subject Areas: Administration and Management; Law; Planning and Forecasting; Public Transportation; Vehicles and Equipment;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00980162
• Record Type: Publication
• ISBN: 1931594120
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Oct 14 2004 12:00AM