Institutional Aspects of Multi-Agency Transit Operations

In this project we have investigated the institutional changes that have been undertaken recently by transit properties to work more closely - in partnership and coordination rather than in competition - with other regional public agencies (especially including other transit properties) to help address mutual transportation problems from a regional and less parochial perspective. Our investigation includes case studies both within and outside of California. From the case studies, both formal and informal mechanisms are used to forge strong regional coordination linkages. Several key factors help to create an environment making possible interagency coordination, including an established common vision among the agencies, good leadership from individuals within agencies and a lead agency, persistence of the participants to overcome institutional and operational barriers, and the availability of technologies to encourage and enhance the coordination process. The case studies have shown strong evidence of a continuing shift away from the more parochial perspective to a more regional and systemic approach to the delivery of transit services. Such regional coordination approaches, both formal and informal, have proved to be an effective and successful tool to help address public transportation-related problems. Initiative is taken and sustained primarily from the local and regional level, for a variety of motivating factors, in the development and implementation of regional coordination activities. Chances of success are greatly enhanced with the presence and strong action of a regional champion(s), such as the regional metropolitan planning organization or association or council of governments. Use of intelligent transportation systems technologies can help make particular regional coordination activities possible as well as help create an opportunity and incentive for local and regional agencies to coordinate transit operations. Once expanded to other local transit agencies, coordination can be even more regional in context and widespread. Regional coordination activities bring challenges as well. In particular, if a regional partnership of organizations exists that serves as the regional decision-maker, then a consensus-based partnership may contribute to slow decision-making, which could be very significant at certain critical times.