Public transport

Public transport (Commonwealth English) comprises all transport systems in which the passengers do not travel in their own vehicles. It is also called public transportation, public transit or mass transit (US English). While it is generally taken to include rail and bus services, wider definitions would include scheduled airline services, ferries, taxicab services etc. - any system that transports members of the general public. A further restriction that is sometimes applied is that it should take place in shared vehicles, which would exclude taxis insofar as they're not shared.

Funding

Funding for public transport systems is generally some combination of government subsidy and fare collections, though a few systems are run as unsubsidized commercial enterprises or are entirely paid for by governments. The percentage of revenue from passenger charges is known as the fare-box recovery ratio. Transit systems earn incidental revenue from advertising, parking fees, leasing space to shops and vendors, and lately, leasing their tunnels and rights-of-way to carry fiber optic communication lines.

Related Topics:
Advertising - Fiber optic

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Some systems are owned and operated by a government agency; other transportation services may be commercial, but receive greater benefits from the government compared to a normal company, e.g.,

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• direct payments to run unprofitable services.
• government bailouts it the company is likely to collapse (often applied to airlines).
• tax advantages, e.g., aviation fuel is typically not taxed.
• reduction of competition through licensing schemes (often applied to taxi and airline services.)
• allowing use of state-owned infrastructure without payment or for less than cost-price (may apply for railways).

One reason many cities spend large sums on their public transport systems is that heavy automobile traffic congests city streets and causes air pollution. It is believed that well maintained, high volume public transport systems alleviate this. Many complex factors affect the outcome of spending in public transport, so success in reducing car traffic is not always assured.

Related Topics:
City - Air pollution

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Another reason for subsidies for public transit are the provision of mobility to those who cannot afford or are physically incapable of using an automobile and those who reject its use on convenience, environmental or safety grounds.

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Hong Kong

In Hong Kong MTR Corporation Limited and KCR Corporation are given the rights to utilise lands near stations, depots or tracks for property development. Profits from land development covers the partial cost of construction, but not operation, of the urban rail systems. Similar arrangments are available to the ferry piers of franchised ferry service providers. Franchised bus operators are exempted from paying tax on diesel.

Related Topics:
Hong Kong - MTR Corporation Limited - KCR Corporation

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United Kingdom

See: Passenger Transport Executive

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United States

In the United States, operations of most public transit services are financially subsidized by local and state governments, who provide small amounts of matching funds to receive 80% capital grant aid from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), an agency of the U.S. Department of Transportation. This agency administers programs which provide funding and support services to state and local agencies which operate a wide range of public transportation services.

Related Topics:
Transit - Matching funds - Federal Transit Administration - U.S. Department of Transportation

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These include local urban and suburban bus and paratransit services, light rail, heritage streetcar systems, cable car, subway, rapid transit, and commuter rail services.

Related Topics:
Bus - Paratransit - Light rail - Heritage streetcar system - Cable car - Subway - Rapid transit - Commuter rail

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Special rural transportation programs of the FTA and some state governments provide assistance for bus and paratransit services in some areas.

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Currently, Arlington, Texas is the largest city in the United States without public transportation.

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