Environmental issues
Achieving environmental objectives is not usually a prime reason for embarking on reforms. But they are increasing in importance and most cities now feel a need to have bus services meet the highest possible emissions targets.
This can be achieved through general emission control standards on all new vehicles (e.g., to meet Euro III standards). Emissions standards can also be justified on the grounds that buses spend most of their time in heavily populated areas and drive thousands of kilometers each day. If it’s desired that buses meet standards higher than those for normal vehicles this needs to be specified in the contracts and any system that makes it easy to specify bus types on a continuing basis will be better suited to achieving these environmental objectives.
Emissions can also be reduced through operating fewer kilometers. Thus any reform system in which the government can specify the number of kilometers to be operated on each route and where there is no incentive for the operator to run a higher number of kilometers will also make it easier to achieve environmental objectives.
Consider the range of reform options
Depending on your existing situation and future objectives, the range of reform options should be examined and the most appropriate approach adopted. The interactive tool can help you to select the most appropriate bus system option.