Following the example of other Western European countries (particularly the UK and Sweden), in recent years the Dutch central government has opened up public transport to competition and market forces. The idea behind this is that a `market' situation will lead to a vibrant, competitive and innovative public transport sector. The authors describe the implications for the Dutch public transport sector of government policy in respect of opening the sector up to market forces and competition. Next, they analyse the competition strategies that (public transport) companies could follow and the innovative features associated with such strategies. Then they describe and evaluate the specific innovations in public transport and the impediments standing in the way of these innovations. Finally, they place their findings concerning innovations in the context of the market, competition and the concession system for public transport, and make a number of recommendations.
Abstract