Competitive tendering and structural changes: An example from the bus industry

Authors

Terje Andreas Mathisen
Gisle Solvoll

Document Type

Journal Article

Publication Date

2008

Subject Area

mode - bus

Keywords

Procurement, Ownership, Norway, Motor bus transportation, Market structure, Intercity bus transportation, Competitive bidding, Case studies, Bus transportation, Bus lines

Abstract

This article evaluates the structural changes that have taken place in the Norwegian bus industry after competitive tendering was introduced in 1994 in order to show that this procurement mechanism implies more than just efficiency gains. In a long-term view the many takeovers and increasing ownership links among the transport companies may weaken the competitive element of tendering and lead to an unwanted market situation with only a limited number of suppliers. To maintain market competition, the transport authorities should differentiate their procurement strategy and use competitive tendering together with other public procurement approaches.

Comments

Transport Policy Home Page: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/0967070X

Recommended Citation

Mathisen, Terje, Solvoll, Gisle. (2008). Competitive tendering and structural changes: An example from the bus industry. Transport Policy, Volume 15, Issue 1, pp 1-11.