Public Transit Economics and Deregulation Policy

Public Transit Economics and Deregulation Policy
Author: J. Berechman
Publisher: Elsevier
Total Pages: 360
Release: 2013-10-22
Genre: Political Science
ISBN: 1483291294

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.

Transportation Policy and Economic Regulation

Transportation Policy and Economic Regulation
Author: John Bitzan
Publisher: Academic Press
Total Pages: 380
Release: 2018-04-14
Genre: Social Science
ISBN: 0128126213

Transportation Policy and Economic Regulation: Essays in Honor of Theodore Keeler addresses a number of today's important transportation policy issues, exploring a variety of transportation modes, and examining the policy implications of a number of alternatives. Theodore Keeler had a distinguished career in transportation economics, helping to shape regulatory policies concerning the transportation industries and assessing the appropriateness of various policies. A distinguishing feature of his work is that it always had policy implications. As a tribute to Theodore Keeler, this book examines transportation policy issues across a variety of transportation industries, including aviation, railroads, highways, motor carrier transport, automobiles, urban transit, and ocean shipping. The book evaluates the economic impact and effectiveness of various policies, employing empirical analyses and new estimation techniques, such as Bayesian analysis. The book is designed for transportation professionals and researchers, as well as transportation economics students, providing an in-depth analysis of some of today's important transportation policy issues. Policy changes established in the last 35-40 years have introduced profound changes in the business environment of the transportation industry. Past policy changes promoted the free market's role in setting prices and determining service availability. While 21st century policy has focused on a variety of other issues, such as safety, road and air congestion, productivity growth, labor relations and exhaust emission, many still promote the role of competition. In addition to examining various transportation policy issues in the U.S., the book explores some approaches to dealing with transportation issues in different parts of the world. Contemporary transportation policy debates have broadened from their initial focus of primarily examining the merits of reforming economic regulations at national levels, to now examining a variety of issues such as alternative methods of social regulation (such as safety regulation and emission controls), new approaches to changing economic regulations, the potential for reforming international regulations, and the appropriate role for government in transportation. - Examines transportation policy developments across a variety of modes, including some international analysis - Shows how new policy changes, such as changes in regulation, affect overall transportation system performance - Features chapters that use innovative methodologies, such as Bayesian techniques, qualitative analysis, and an attribute-incorporated Malmquist productivity index - Examines the ways that policy impacts depend on a variety of factors, and shows how economic tools can be used to gain greater insights into the likely impacts of policy and the desirability of various policies - Analyzes transport prices, quality of service, safety, the use of information technology and operating issues, highlighting how transportation enhances quality of life

Last Exit

Last Exit
Author: Clifford Winston
Publisher: Brookings Institution Press
Total Pages: 201
Release: 2010
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN: 0815704739

"Proposes experiments in deregulating and privatizing the country's transportation systems to rid them of inefficiencies and significantly improve their performance in moving goods and people around the United States; the book covers roads, airports and airport traffic control, mass transit, intercity buses and railway networks"--Provided by publisher.

Transport Deregulation

Transport Deregulation
Author: Kenneth Button
Publisher: Springer
Total Pages: 214
Release: 1991-10-10
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN: 134921616X

This book brings together an international collection of original papers looking at the impacts of the recent liberalization measures in the transport sector. It contains a number of area studies which focus on the deregulation of countries such as Switzerland and Australia as well as the broader European perspective. Additionally there are a number of modal studies which pay attention to the deregulation which has taken place regarding road, rail and air transport in selected countries. The papers are written by international authorities in their respective fields.

A 21st Century Transportation System

A 21st Century Transportation System
Author: United States. Congress. Senate. Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. Subcommittee on Economic Policy
Publisher:
Total Pages: 112
Release: 2009
Genre: Federal aid to transportation
ISBN:

Urban Transit

Urban Transit
Author: Charles A. Lave
Publisher:
Total Pages: 404
Release: 1985
Genre: Local transit
ISBN:

This book assembles the work of 15 scholars, transit managers, and labor relations experts whose in-depth examination of this critical subject focuses on the economics of transit matters, the possible alternative modes of urban transit, and the economic and political problems of implementing changes. The authors conclude that private free market forms of transit have the only reasonable chance to solve urban transit problems, and they offer policy alternatives that challenge the current public failure of monopolized transit systems. This book provides a comprehensive discussion of the evolution of public transportation problems and policy responses, drawing extensively from documented cases throughout the country. It is a sourcebook of workable remedies to effect consequential and imperative changes in this increasingly crisis-prone issue.

Alternate Route

Alternate Route
Author: Clifford Winston
Publisher: Brookings Institution Press
Total Pages: 146
Release: 2010-12-01
Genre: Political Science
ISBN: 9780815705352

Urban transportation problems abound across America, including jammed highways during rush-hours, deteriorating bus service, and strong pressures to build new rail systems. Most solutions attempt either to increase transportation capacity (by building more roads and expanding mass transit) or to manage existing capacity (through HOV restrictions, exclusive bus lanes, and employer-based policies such as flexible work hours). This book develops an alternative solution to urban transportation problems based on economic analysis, but well aware of the political constraints on policymakers. The authors estimate that efficient pricing and service policies could save more than $10 billion in annual net benefits over current practices, but argue that powerful, entrenched political and institutional forces will continue to thwart efficient economic solutions to improve urban transportation. They believe, however, that some form of privatization would likely improve social welfare more than an efficient public sector system. Facing fewer operating restrictions, greater economic incentives, and stronger competitive pressures, private suppliers could substantially improve the efficiency of urban operations and offer services that are more responsive to the needs of all types of travelers. The authors conclude that policymakers have bestowed huge benefits on the public by allowing the private sector to play a leading and unencumbered role in the provision of intercity transportation. Public officials should take the next step and allow the private sector to play a leading role in the provision of urban transportation.