Project Summary
Transit consolidation is an important current policy issue in California, highlighted by recent Bay Area efforts and state legislative action like Senate Bill 1031 and SB 63. But the Bay Area is not the only California region with multiple agencies and questions of consolidation are relevant across the state. Central to this discussion is whether consolidation will result in the expected benefits to agencies and transit riders while minimizing challenges. Consolidation supporters point to the improved financial efficiencies expected to result as well as increased ridership resulting from more streamlined schedules, integrated fares, and improved and centralized service information. While potential challenges including transaction costs, political will, and supporting the existing labor force, must be addressed. However, the benefits and challenges differ when considering a full consolidation of agencies versus the coordination of some (or even many) aspects of transit. These challenges have been overcome in some locations as there are examples of consolidation across the country over the past 20 or more years (NCHRP 2017). This project will investigate the benefits and challenges of both alternatives and provide insights into how context affects the benefits achieved from consolidation versus coordination and how implementation challenges have been overcome. It does so via: literature review, database review, time series analysis, and difference in differences analysis. The project will be guided through input from a project advisory committee, made up of transit representatives, and community-based organizations consulted in the preparation of this proposal, including TransForm, Livermore Amador Valley Transit Authority (LAVTA), and Public Advocates.
