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Can Urban Transportation Be Managed as a Business?

by Lester A. Hoel, Univ of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA,



Document Type: Proceeding Paper

Part of: Managing Urban Transportation as a Business

Abstract:

There are many managerial tools and techniques available to the transportation professional that have been tested, tried and perfected in the private sector, and in a limited way in the public sector, too. In fact, these approaches are essential to firms that must be competitive, both in national and international markets, and who must meet profit goals to satisfy owners and stockholders. The author focusses on the appropriateness of management techniques that have been developed in the private sector and their applicability and usefulness to agencies in the public arena of transportation. The author concludes that the ingredients necessary to successfully adapt private sector methods and operate urban transportation as a business are: Support in the political arena from elected leaders - the Board of Directors - with a commitment that transportation should be run like a successful business; Dedicated and visionary leadership; An organizational culture that recognizes and motivates employees; and A mechanism for being in touch with the users of our service. With these elements in place the tools and techniques of management become essential to success.

Subject Headings: Urban and regional development | Private sector | Business management | Public transportation | Transportation management | Management methods | Urban areas

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