How are informal transport networks formed? Bridging planning and political economy of labour

Efficient self-organization of informal public transport networks

“…While the routes of informal services are not fixed, they are usually restricted to corridors with some regular major stops (e.g., major exchanges or hubs) 24 , 25 . The corridors of the routes are often agreed upon between competing drivers or groups of service providers, and drivers of informal services typically adhere to these corridors to avoid conflict with competitors or fines from traffic police 25 , 31 .…”

“…While the routes of informal services are not fixed, they are usually restricted to corridors with some regular major stops (e.g., major exchanges or hubs) 24 , 25 . The corridors of the routes are often agreed upon between competing drivers or groups of service providers, and drivers of informal services typically adhere to these corridors to avoid conflict with competitors or fines from traffic police 25 , 31 . However, even when exact routes are specified in operating licenses, drivers in practice often adjust their route and stop locations dynamically, for example, to find more customers, circumvent traffic, or avoid police checkpoints when they receive relevant information from passing drivers 21 , 23 , 24 .…”

“…However, even when exact routes are specified in operating licenses, drivers in practice often adjust their route and stop locations dynamically, for example, to find more customers, circumvent traffic, or avoid police checkpoints when they receive relevant information from passing drivers 21 , 23 , 24 . In this way, new routes may emerge and grow organically and will often be licensed a-posteriori as demand increases and drivers begin serving the route directly when it becomes profitable 21 , 24 , 25 , 30 . The overall route networks of informal services thus self-organize largely without central planning.…”