Pros and Cons to a Transportation Co-op?

[OneGrassRoot]

I'm a huge proponent of member- and worker-owned co-ops, but I have to say I never thought of a transportation co-op until this morning. Someone mentioned that my area (Raleigh, NC), which is way behind with public transportation, with it essentially not available at all in outlying areas that have grown tremendously, is entertaining the idea of one particular area of the city creating their own public transportation. I couldn't find the article pertaining to that, but stumbled across this and I'm intrigued.

I realize our tax dollars are supposed to provide such things, but what if it could be a way to generate income and investment opportunities in the local communities as an off-shoot to existing public transportation? Is this one of those services that shouldn't be private, even in a cooperative community manner?

I welcome your thoughts. :)

Cooperation between public and private transportation providers and the businesses they serve is critical to the future of regional transportation.

To that end, Linx - the Greater Yellowstone Regional Transportation Cooperative - is looking to sign on all kinds of transportation providers to create seamless transit opportunities throughout its 27-county Greater Yellowstone service area, and beyond.

"The whole idea is to get the region connected in a way that makes transit attractive and affordable, and something that businesses will want to invest in, as well," said Jan Brown, interim director of Linx and executive director of the Yellowstone Business Partnership.

Linx has launched an investment campaign outreach to large employers, health care facilities, tourism companies, retail centers and others who could significantly benefit from having regional transportation opportunities available to them, their customers, clients and employees.

http://www.tetonvalleynews.net/news/regional-transit-co-op-needs-partners-providers/article_79d58a8e-fd6d-11df-b5b9-001cc4c002e0.html