For example, the MBTA ("a body politic and corporate, and a political subdivision of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts") operates both the T and Commuter Rail; while in Toronto, subways are operated by the TTC (a commission of the city) and commuter trains are run by a different, regional body. Transport for London appears to be quasi-regional, associated with a Greater London Authority; and a link in Ryuusuke's earlier post discusses the multitude of operators in Tokyo.
There are many variables here:
- Sometimes transportation (in general) and (public surface) transit are managed by the same entity; other times they are separate. The distinction also exists for aviation and water transport.
- Entities can be publicly operated or private companies.
- Public entities can be affiliated with one of the standard levels of government (municipal, regional, state/province, federal) or managed jointly by representatives from multiple levels.
- Private entities can be transit operators only, or have other related businesses; they can operate within or across jurisdictions (for example, MTR in Hong Kong).
Obviously the context is very different in any city, but I am curious about common themes, e.g. does it tend to be harder to execute policy using a municipal (vs. regional) transportation authority? Are funding mechanisms a better determinant of success than where planning authority lies?
A casual search turns up some U.S.-specific literature on the subject; does anyone know of a respected, general source, or a good visualization of different structures?
I have not seen a good visualization of the government structures. Political culture I believe predicts and does vary. For example, in many European countries there is a tendency for centralization of planning and programming of transportation. Centralization certainly streamlines the process and is more efficient. This is often seen in the US in the mid-west or northwest. In the US generally there also exists a history of distrust of large planning structures. For example, in New England most government structures are fragmented. This reduces efficiency, but provides multiple points of input for citizens.
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