Abstract

This chapter provides an introduction to the related issues of efficiency and productivity assessment with regard to the provision of public transport services, primarily from a practical perspective. It will outline the main factors that need to be considered before undertaking any such assessments and the core economic principles that underpin the main production concepts. The chapter gives an overview of the main approaches that have been used to derive empirical results for the efficiency and productivity of public transport services before examining some of the research that has been carried out in this area and the results that have been obtained.