Public–Private Partnership in the Development of Sustainable Public Transportation Systems: A Literature Review
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.37899/np-ijpsm.v1i1.22Keywords:
Public–Private Partnership, Sustainable Public Transportation, Sustainable Mobility, Transportation InfrastructureAbstract
The increasing demand for sustainable public transportation systems has encouraged governments worldwide to seek innovative approaches to infrastructure development and service delivery. Among these approaches, Public–Private Partnerships (PPPs) have emerged as a strategic mechanism for addressing financial constraints, improving operational efficiency, and supporting sustainable urban mobility. This study aims to identify and analyze the role of Public–Private Partnerships in the development of sustainable public transportation systems through a Systematic Literature Review (SLR). The review follows the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) framework to ensure a transparent and systematic selection of relevant studies. Academic articles published between 2015 and 2025 were collected from major scholarly databases, including Scopus, Web of Science, ScienceDirect, SpringerLink, and Google Scholar. The selected literature was analyzed using thematic analysis to identify key themes, trends, benefits, challenges, and critical success factors associated with PPP implementation in sustainable transportation projects. The findings reveal that PPPs contribute significantly to infrastructure financing, operational efficiency, technological innovation, service quality improvement, and environmental sustainability. Furthermore, PPPs facilitate risk sharing and accelerate the implementation of transportation projects that support sustainable urban development. However, the literature also highlights several challenges, including regulatory uncertainty, governance complexity, financial risks, and stakeholder management issues. The review further identifies strong institutional capacity, effective risk allocation, regulatory stability, stakeholder engagement, and sustainability integration as key determinants of PPP success. Overall, the study concludes that PPPs can serve as effective governance and financing mechanisms for sustainable public transportation development when supported by appropriate policy frameworks and institutional arrangements. These findings provide valuable insights for policymakers, practitioners, and researchers seeking to enhance the sustainability and effectiveness of future transportation infrastructure projects.
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