Inadequate integration of transport systems

The transport network of airplanes, helicopters, hovercraft, trains, boats, ferries, buses, taxis, ski-lifts, etc, can only work if all the parts are well connected. However, the different agencies in charge of the various forms of transport have no incentive to interact, partly because they are in competition with one another and partly because cooperation simply makes life harder for them. This is particularly true along commuting corridors, where trains, buses, mini-buses, ferries and possibly even planes and helicopters compete for the same passenger market. When each mode is operated by an independent agency, there is no particular incentive to provide feeder services to the more inflexible modes, and many services are even reluctant to provide good feeder services to rapid transit trains and ferries because their commuter lines are their most lucrative lines. Similarly, in many cities of the developing world, mini-buses and colectivos provide transportation along the main commuting corridors, competing for passengers with the buses. This leaves the mainlines served by small vehicles, while almost empty buses reach the peripheral lines - usually because the public bus company is required to serve these areas, even at a loss.