Institutional Forms and Financial Mechanisms Facilitating Successful Public Transit Enterprises
INSTITUTIONAL FORMS AND FINANCIAL MECHANISMS FACILITATING SUCCESSFUL PUBLIC TRANSIT ENTERPRISES -- LESSONS FROM JAPAN AND HONG KONG -- Richard K. Taube June 15, 1999 ABSTRACT This report focuses on institutional and financial lessons learned in a study mission to Japan and Hong Kong in April, 1999, in which 21 transit systems, agencies and firms were visited in the Kobe, Osaka, Nagoya and Tokyo areas of Japan and 10 such systems in Hong Kong. The report reviews the political and economic context of Japan, followed by a synopsis of its customs, policies and trends of relevance to public transit markets. Organizations and policies of the various government entities are described and three important aspects of the Japanese transit environment are examined in greater detail: Daisan Sector and related enterprises, new technologies and fare collection. The same form is repeated for Hong Kong. The final section of the report provides comparisons and lessons, among and between Japan, Hong Kong and the United States. This section emphasizes the similarities of Japan and Hong Kong, especially the devastating effects of recession, high land values, population density, low auto ownership, high transit use, active role of governments in profit-making enterprises, and vigorous leverage of land use and transit to maximize mutual advantages. While there are also important differences (Japan's population growth is almost stagnant while Hong Kong faces even greater growth than in the past; Hong Kong is much farther advanced in electronic payment), the two countries reinforce certain lessons that seem most applicable to the U.S., despite many political, cultural and economic differences.
[Show full text]