Inter-city modal competition

The market for inter-city travel has received much less attention than those for local travel. It is more diverse and complex ranging from travel between two adjacent cities to that between major conurbations hundreds of kilometres apart. Journeys are typically made less frequently than the regular trips that dominate urban travel markets, and are more likely to involve multi-modal trips. Historically the markets for inter-urban travel were highly regulated. The growth of inter-city highway networks, the deregulation of airlines and coach services and the liberalisation of the market for rail services has changed the pattern of provision and competition. This has come alongside social change that has increased mobility. This Chapter explores the extent of changes in inter-urban travel markets by road, rail and air over recent decades and how regulation and competition has dealt with these changes in a range of countries including the US, UK and other European Countries. Priorities for future research on this topic are identified.