Public Transit Economics and Deregulation Policy (STUDIES IN REGIONAL SCIENCE AND URBAN ECONOMICS)

The objective of this book is to provide a systematic and comprehensive analysis of the factors which determine the cost and production structure of public transit systems. It highlights the conflicting empirical results reported in the relevant literature, explores their origin and, where possible, reconciles them. Using these results as inputs, it then discusses their implications for the likely consequences of transit deregulation in terms of economic efficiency, levels and types of services produced, and the contestability and organization of deregulated transit markets. Based on lessons from transit deregulation policies, which were implemented in a number of countries, and on analysis, the book recommends reregulation policies for different transit markets (eg interurban or intraurban). The book is aimed primarily at an audience of transportation researchers, including economists and planners as well as public policy analysis. It requires, in general, a sound background in economics, mainly microeconomics. Thus, graduate students in economics, geography, urban planning and public policy, and advanced undergraduates with good training in economics can best benefit from this book Drawing on transit experience from various countries and markets, this book examines the economic environment of transit operations, the cost and production properties of transit service supply and the policies and prospects of transit regulatory reform. The principal objectives of the book are: first to conduct theoretical and empirical analyses of the major factors which jointly determine the economic structure and conditions of the transit sector; and second to explore and suggest policies which could resolve the sector's present crisis and make it economically viable. The first objective is explored in Part One where major structural demand factors and regulatory and subsidy conditions are identified and examined. Analytical and empirical measurement of technical production characteristics of transit services supply is carried out in Part Two. Part Three focuses on transit regulatory reform policy issues.The book is aimed primarily at an audience of transportation professionals, including economists and planners as well as public policy analysts. It requires, in general, a sound background in economics, mainly microeconomics. Thus graduate students in economics, geography, urban planning and public policy, and advanced undergraduates with good training in economics can best benefit from this book. Drawing on transit experience from various countries and markets, this book examines the economic environment of transit operations, the cost and production properties of transit service supply and the policies and prospects of transit regulatory reform. The principal objectives of the book are: first to conduct theoretical and empirical analyses of the major factors which jointly determine the economic structure and conditions of the transit sector; and second to explore and suggest policies which could resolve the sector's present crisis and make it economically viable. The first objective is explored in Part One where major structural demand factors and regulatory and subsidy conditions are identified and examined. Analytical and empirical measurement of technical production characteristics of transit services supply is carried out in Part Two. Part Three focuses on transit regulatory reform policy issues. The book is aimed primarily at an audience of transportation professionals, including economists and planners as well as public policy analysts. It requires, in general, a sound background in economics, mainly microeconomics. Thus graduate students in economics, geography, urban planning and public policy, and advanced undergraduates with good training in economics can best benefit from this book Content: Studies in Regional Science and Urban Economics , Page ii Front Matter , Page III Copyright , Page IV Dedication , Page V INTRODUCTION TO THE SERIES , Page VII FOREWORD , Pages IX-X ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS , Pages XI-XII Chapter 1 - INTRODUCTION AND OVERVIEW , Pages 1-14 Chapter 2 - CONTEMPORARY METROPOLITAN AREAS AND THE DEMAND FOR TRANSIT , Pages 17-53 Chapter 3 - THE ECONOMIC ENVIRONMENT OF TRANSIT SERVICES SUPPLY , Pages 55-87 Chapter 4 - TRANSIT SERVICES PROVISION: THE DECISION MAKING PROBLEM , Pages 91-109 Chapter 5 - ANALYSIS OF TRANSIT COST AND PRODUCTION STRUCTURE , Pages 111-143 Chapter 6 - ANALYSIS OF TRANSIT PRODUCTIVITY AND EFFICIENCY , Pages 145-181 Chapter 7 - THEORETICAL FOUNDATIONS OF TRANSIT REGULATORY REFORM PERSPECTIVES , Pages 185-214 Chapter 8 - TRANSIT DEREGULATION AND MARKET STRUCTURE , Pages 215-247 Chapter 9 - LESSONS FROM TRANSIT DEREGULATION AND PRIVATIZATION POLICIES , Pages 249-282 Chapter 10 - COMPETITIVE TENDERING AS A TRANSIT POLICY OPTION , Pages 283-306 Chapter 11 - PROPOSED TRANSIT POLICY REGIMES , Pages 307-313 BIBLIOGRAPHY , Pages 315-331 SUBJECT INDEX , Pages 333-341 Ch. 1. Introduction And Overview -- Pt. 1. The Economic Environment Of Transit Operations -- Ch. 2. Contemporary Metropolitan Areas And The Demand For Transit -- Ch. 3. The Economic Environment Of Transit Services Supply -- Pt. 2. Cost And Production Properties Of Transit Service Supply -- Ch. 4. Transit Services Provision: The Decision Making Problem -- Ch. 5. Analysis Of Transit Cost And Production Structure -- Ch. 6. Analysis Of Transit Productivity And Efficiency -- Pt. 3. Transit Regulatory Reform Policies And Prospects -- Ch. 7. Theoretical Foundations Of Transit Regulatory Reform Perspectives -- Ch. 8. Transit Deregulation And Market Structure -- Ch. 9. Lessons From Transit Deregulation And Privatization Policies -- Ch. 10. Competitive Tendering As A Transit Policy Option -- Ch. 11. Proposed Transit Policy Regimes. Joseph Berechman. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 315-331) And Index.