In 1982, the Iowa General Assembly directed the Iowa Department of Transportation to study the feasibility of co-ordinating public transit services and school transportation programs. Between 1983 and 1985, pilot projects were successfully implemented in six Iowa communities. Four of the projects were located in urban areas and involved shifting students from school bus transportation to city transit services. While school bus transportation generally costs less, it was found that in some cases (as when excess capacity exists on public services) public transit services are more cost effective. Two of the projects were located in rural areas and involved co-ordinating the operations, maintenance, and purchasing functions of school districts and public transit systems. The participating agencies in both rural projects saved on costs. While the concept of transportation co-ordination was found to be feasible in all six areas, there are significant legal and institutional barriers to be overcome in each case. Public policy in Iowa has encouraged, and in some cases mandated, co-ordination between transportation operators, and the public has benefited from such policy.
Samenvatting