A tale of four cities: competition and bus ownership in Bangkok, Jakarta, Manila and Singapore

Abstract

Attention is focused on the efficiency of bus operations in four Southeast Asian cities. Initially, interest is centred on Jakarta's Pengangkutan Penumpang Djakarta (PPD) to illustrate the range of problems afflicting unrestructured state‐owned transport operations. Then we proceed to examine three approaches open to such a company—the “in‐house” approach, the introduction of competition and privatisation. These approaches are examined by reference to bus operations in Bangkok, Manila and Singapore respectively. We are then in a position to consider the relative merits of these approaches for Jakarta's state‐owned bus company.

Key words:

• Bus
• competition
• deregulation
• ownership
• privatisation
• Southeast Asia