Using strategic planning methods, key pressures and trends that transit must accommodate are identified. The most important challenges and opportunities faced by the industry include the needs to: take more global and strategic views; develop flexible services for suburban areas; aggressively work with the private sector to develop better market conditions for transit and more cost-effective service; and better meet cost control and efficiency mandates. Transit must move away from the idea of an all-encompassing service suiting all needs and become more of a "niche business," tailoring services to specific market segments and opportunities. Innovative agencies recognise the need to create demand and become fully involved in suburban problem solving through zoning commissions, transportation management associations and new mechanisms. Gaining business community support is imperative. This type of outreach is a new organisational and operating strategy that aggressive local agencies are now pursuing. In these and other ways, transit needs to be run more like a business - more entrepreneurially. (A)
Abstract