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Charter Bus Service: Local Factors Determine Effectiveness of Federal Regulation

RCED-93-162 Published: Sep 07, 1993. Publicly Released: Sep 07, 1993.
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Highlights

Pursuant to a legislative requirement, GAO reviewed the impact of federal charter service regulation on public transit operators providing local charter bus service, focusing on: (1) whether the regulation allows communities to cost-effectively and efficiently meet local transportation needs; (2) the extent to which public transit operators and private charter operators have entered into charter service agreements; and (3) whether private operators profit from joint public-private charter service contracts.

Recommendations

Recommendations for Executive Action

Agency Affected Recommendation Status
Federal Transit Administration The Administrator, FTA, should seek ways to more clearly communicate to grant recipients the services that they may provide under the charter regulation. Specifically, FTA should communicate the processes for obtaining exceptions under the existing regulation directly to public operators, particularly those in rural areas.
Closed – Implemented
FTA concurred with the recommendation to more clearly communicate to grant recipients the charter bus services they may provide. During FY 1994 and 1995, FTA is providing workshops to public transit authorities that receive FTA grants. The sessions provide information on how to use the exceptions to the regulations to meet the charter bus needs of their communities. In FY 1994, FTA held 4 regional workshops and it plans to continue the workshops in the remaining regions in FY 1994. FTA is also developing a workbook to explain charter regulation requirements--it plans to distribute the workbook to grant recipients in FY 1995.

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Topics

Cooperative agreementsFederal aid for transportationFederal regulationsMass transitMotor carriersMotor vehiclesPrivate sectorTransportation contractsTransportationTransit operators