Final answer:
The competition for end-user transportation is focused on various transit modes aimed at meeting passenger needs. Companies prefer a broad market definition to counteract monopoly concerns, and factors like energy efficiency and environmental impact play critical roles in shaping the competition.
Step-by-step explanation:
The primary focus of competition for end-user transportation involves various modes of transit competing to meet the needs of passengers for moving from one location to another effectively and efficiently. Considering end-user preferences, economic forces, and regulatory environments, transportation companies constantly strive to adapt and improve their services.
When Greyhound Lines, Inc. and Trailways Transportation System wished to merge, they faced the question of how to define their market. Favoring a broader definition that included personal cars, car rentals, passenger trains, and commuter air flights would likely be advantageous for the bus companies. This is because a more expansive market definition dilutes their market share, reducing concerns about creating a monopoly and making it easier to argue for the merger against antitrust authorities.
Transportation methods like electric cars, buses, trains, and planes are judged based on various factors, including their energy efficiency, often expressed as kilowatt-hours per kilometer. The serious competition in transportation services has been significantly impacted by deregulation during the late 20th century, spurring innovation and service improvements but also intensifying the struggle for market share.
Ultimately, the transportation market is influenced by a myriad of factors including environmental impact, which prompts companies to adopt greener practices, and the growing emphasis on reducing emissions from vehicles like passenger cars and light-duty trucks, as evidenced by EPA statistics.