Curb Rights: Foundation for Free Enterprise in Urban Transit - Hardcover

Klein, Daniel B.; Etc.; Moore, Adrian T.; Reja, Binyam

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0815749406 ISBN 13: 9780815749400

Publisher: Brookings Institution, 1997

Synopsis

Explains how market forces can revitalize transit, focusing on street- based transit, such as buses, shuttles, and jitneys. Examines jitney services from America's past, illegal jitneys in America today, and jitney services in less developed countries, looking at the potential benefits of governance of curb zones and pickup areas. Argues that the creation of curb rights leased by auction would allow bus service and jitneys to flourish in American cities and rid the market of inefficient government production and overregulation. Annotation c. by Book News, Inc., Portland, Or.

About this title

From the Back Cover

The authors of this book say it's time to rethink the fundamental structure of transit policy. The book focuses on street-based transit - buses, shuttles, and jitneys. The authors propose that urban transit be brought into the fold of market activity by establishing property rights not only in vehicles, but also in curb zones and transit stops. Market competition and entrepreneurship would depend on a foundation of what they call "curb rights". By creating exclusive and transferable curb rights (to bus stops and other pickup points) leased by auction, the authors contend that American cities can have the best of both kinds of markets - scheduled (and unsubsidized) bus service and unscheduled but faster and more flexible jitneys. They maintain that a carefully planned transit system based on property rights would rid the transit market of inefficient government production and overregulation. It would also avoid the problems of a lawless market - cutthroat competition, schedule jockeying, and even curbside conflict among rival operators. Entrepreneurs would be free, able, and driven to introduce ever better service, revise schedules and route structures, establish connections among transit providers, facilitate passenger interchange, introduce new vehicles, and use new pricing strategies. And travelers would find public transit more attractive than they do now.

Synopsis

Explains how market forces can revitalize transit, focusing on street- based transit, such as buses, shuttles, and jitneys. Examines jitney services from America's past, illegal jitneys in America today, and jitney services in less developed countries, looking at the potential benefits of governance of curb zones and pickup areas. Argues that the c

Edition details

• Publisher: Brookings Institution
• Publication date: 1997
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0815749406
• ISBN 13: 9780815749400
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 140