The" publico" system of Puerto Rico is a privately operated government-regulated transportation service to the general public ranging from small urban routes to long intercity routes. This service is normally operated on fixed routes and fixed fares with low-capacity automobiles and passenger vans. The principal objective of this paper is to present a summary of a recent study that provided a description of the" publico" system as it operates in Puerto Rico. Data for the study were obtained from previous" publico" system studies and from government agencies that regulate the system. The paper presents for the" publico" system its general and specific characteristics and qualitative attributes and discusses its advantages and limitations.

The inability to solve urban transportation problems, despite the infusion of billions of dollars in public subsidies during the past two decades, demonstrates the need for private-sector participation in urban and rural transportation systems and experimentation with innovative forms of transportation investments. Researchers and transportation planners have recognized that an ideal urban transportation system is a cooperative mix of paratransit and conventional transit with highly coordinated and varied ownership and with active involvement of private paratransit providers in planning and operation of the service (1).