Public transport

Widened in scope and completely updated, this new edition of a well-established textbook provides an authoritative introduction to all modes of public transport; from taxis and local buses to intercity rail, domestic air and express coach. The principal emphasis is on the urban and regional market sector, with separate coverage given of rural and long-distance issues. The latest changes in organisation and legislation are covered, together with current polices issues in Britain and similar countries, such as bus deregulation and rail privatisation. Extensive use is made of the National Travel Survey and operator data to describe the present market structure. The technology of bus and rail systems is described. Network structures and their relationship with urban form are reviewed, leading to an examination of pricing policies in which particular emphasis is given to forms such as the travelcard as well as conventional cash fare systems. Sources of evidence and references for further reading are given in each chapter.The concluding chapter examines long-run policy issues and developments likely to influence the role of public transport in the near future, including the British government's Ten Year Plan for 2000-2010, global warming and the role of the European Union in transport.This book serves as a textbook for both specialist students in transport and those in related fields - such as planning, geography, civil engineering and business students - taking optional courses in transport. Any reader concerned with transport as a policy issue will find the book useful as a contemporary account of a crucial dimension of any advanced economy.