published_or_final_version / Urban Planning / Master / Master of Science in Urban Planning

This paper uses data envelopment analysis (DEA) to examine the relative technical efficiency of the Washington State Ferry (WSF) routes operating in Puget Sound. This is the largest ferry system in the country. It is publicly operated and does not face direct competition from any other agency, public or private. Therefore whether or not the ferry routes operate efficiently is a natural question. DEA is being used increasingly for measuring technical efficiency in non-profit settings such as health care and education, where prices of inputs and outputs may either be unavailable or artificially set. Because DEA does not require prices to measure efficiency, the technique has an advantage in these arenas. This paper first uses DEA to measure the relative technical efficiency of each WSF route using two different comparison sets. Returns to scale are then evaluated for each route in three successive years (1995-1997). Finally, a Malmquist productivity index is calculated in order to evaluate total factor productivity over the three-year period. For further evaluation this index is then divided into two components: technical change and efficiency change. Overall, the findings show that most of the ferry routes operate in an efficient manner. The results do, however, show routes where there may be room for improvement and they provide a means to pinpointing areas where WSF may want to focus attention when making management decisions. / Graduation date: 2000

In this paper. I analyze how political, economic, and administrative issues were major factors in the BC Liberal government's creation of a complex hybrid operating structure for BC Ferries. The model evolved as the result of a number of circumstances, including the former NDP government's "fast ferry" debacle and the Liberal government's decision to conduct a Core Services Review of all government services, including those provided by Crown corporations. BC Ferries' new structure has similarities to other administrative models that have been introduced as a result of New Public Management initiatives and other factors in a number of Westminster jurisdictions. The resulting operating entities are having significant impacts on the nature and scope of public accountabilities and on reporting structures.

Thesis (M.A.)--University of Hong Kong, 2001. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 76-81).

Thesis (M. Arch.)--University of Hong Kong, 1994. / Includes special study report entitled: Passenger movement in the ferry terminal. Includes bibliographical references.

In this paper. I analyze how political, economic, and administrative issues were major factors in the BC Liberal government's creation of a complex hybrid operating structure for BC Ferries. The model evolved as the result of a number of circumstances, including the former NDP government's "fast ferry" debacle and the Liberal government's decision to conduct a Core Services Review of all government services, including those provided by Crown corporations. BC Ferries' new structure has similarities to other administrative models that have been introduced as a result of New Public Management initiatives and other factors in a number of Westminster jurisdictions. The resulting operating entities are having significant impacts on the nature and scope of public accountabilities and on reporting structures.

Thesis (M.A.)--University of Hong Kong, 2001. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 76-81). Also available in print.

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Wisconsin, Madison, 1921.

Thesis (M.Arch.)--University of Hong Kong, 1994. / Includes special study report entitled : Passenger movement in the ferry terminal. Includes bibliographical references. Also available in print.

In this paper. I analyze how political, economic, and administrative issues were major factors in the BC Liberal government's creation of a complex hybrid operating structure for BC Ferries. The model evolved as the result of a number of circumstances, including the former NDP government's "fast ferry" debacle and the Liberal government's decision to conduct a Core Services Review of all government services, including those provided by Crown corporations. BC Ferries' new structure has similarities to other administrative models that have been introduced as a result of New Public Management initiatives and other factors in a number of Westminster jurisdictions. The resulting operating entities are having significant impacts on the nature and scope of public accountabilities and on reporting structures. / Arts, Faculty of / Political Science, Department of / Graduate