The Transportation Research Board recently published the report “Improving Transit Integration Among Multiple Providers, Volume I: Transit Integration Manual," which presents a set of guidelines to help transit agencies evaluate, plan, and implement transit services in areas with multiple providers.
The manual has three key chapters:
- Why do agencies integrate? An introduction and overview of benefits, costs, and processes.
- Guidance on transit agency integration, including types of integration activities, benefits, and challenges.
- Next steps, including how agencies can get started and measure success.
The report offers several integration examples from the United States. For example, common integration activities include joint bus or equipment purchases, as seen in the Twin Cities.
Another common integration activity is joint marketing and rider information tools, such as ORCA's universal fare card.
Transit service integration supports active transportation participants, as all transit riders start and end their trips as pedestrians. For full details on transit service integration, you can download the full report.