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Published: 2017

Total Pages: 70

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The purpose of the research was to develop guidance on the consolidation of rural public transportation services that would be useful to transportation providers and state departments of transportation (DOTs) considering or engaged in consolidation efforts. Consolidation is one way that public transportation providers can integrate their services to increase efficiency, reduce operating expenses, improve the customer experience, or achieve other goals. Lower levels of integration include communication and coordination. Consolidation is defined here to mean the restructuring of two or more agencies to integrate different aspects of their administrative and service functions. That activity is sometimes referred to as regionalization. To set the context for an in-depth examination of four case study consolidation efforts, the research team conducted a literature review and analyzed data from the National Transit Database (NTD) and National Rural Transit Assistance Program (National RTAP) surveys of rural transit providers. Key findings from the literature review are included throughout this Guidebook. NTD data and National RTAP survey responses were used to document rural public transportation service providers and service areas at present and over time. That information is presented in Chapter 2. To learn more about consolidation activities in individual states, the team administered a brief online survey to state DOTs. An overview of consolidation in 23 states and the roles of those states’ DOTs to encourage or support consolidation is also provided in Chapter 2. Chapter 3 explores the objectives of consolidation and the benefits that can accrue to consolidated public transportation agencies, based on findings from the literature review and the four case studies. Chapters 4 through 7 present a detailed look at the consolidation of rural public transportation services in the four case studies, documenting processes, resulting governance and structure, challenges, results, and lessons learned. Chapter 8 offers a list of steps in the consolidation process for transportation providers and state DOTs to consider when pursuing consolidation. Useful resources are provided in the Guidebook’s appendices.