Industries in the Transit and Ground Passenger Transportation subsector include a variety of passenger transportation activities,such as urban transit systems; chartered bus, school bus, and interurban bus transportation; and taxis. These activities are distinguished based primarily on such production process factors as vehicle types, routes, and schedules.
In this subsector, the principal splits identify scheduled transportation as separate from nonscheduled transportation. The scheduled transportation industry groups are Urban Transit Systems, Interurban and Rural Bus Transportation, and School and Employee Bus Transportation. The nonscheduled industry groups are the Charter Bus Industry and Taxi and Limousine Service. The Other Transit and Ground Passenger Transportation Industry group includes both scheduled and nonscheduled transportation.
Scenic and sightseeing ground transportation services are not included in this subsector but are included in Subsector 487, Scenic and Sightseeing Transportation. Sightseeing does not usually involve place-to-place transportation; the passenger's trip starts and ends at the same location.
48511 Urban Transit Systems
This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in operating local and suburban
passenger transit systems over regular routes and on regular schedules within a metropolitan area
and its adjacent nonurban areas. Such transportation systems involve the use of one or more modes
of transport including light rail, commuter rail, subways, streetcars, as well as buses and other
motor vehicles.
Cross-References. Establishments primarily engaged in
- Providing scenic and sightseeing transportation - classified in Industry 487110, Scenic and Sightseeing Transportation, Land;
- Providing support services to transit and ground transportation - classified in Industry Group 4884, Support Activities for Road Transportation; and
- Providing interurban and rural bus transportation - classified in Industry 485210, Interurban and Rural Bus Transportation.
485111 Mixed Mode Transit Systems
This U.S. industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in operating local and suburban
ground passenger transit systems using more than one mode of transport over regular routes and on
regular schedules within a metropolitan area and its adjacent nonurban areas.
Cross-References. Establishments primarily engaged in
- Operating local and suburban passenger transit systems using only one mode of transportation - classified according to the mode of transport; and
- Providing support services to transit and ground passenger transportation - classified in Industry Group 4884, Support Activities for Road Transportation.
485112 Commuter Rail Systems
This U.S. industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in operating local and suburban
commuter rail systems over regular routes and on a regular schedule within a metropolitan area
and its adjacent nonurban areas. Commuter rail is usually characterized by reduced fares,
multiple ride, and commutation tickets and mostly used by passengers during the morning and
evening peak periods.
Cross-References. Establishments primarily engaged in
- Operating local and suburban mass passenger transit systems using both commuter rail and another mode of transport - classified in U.S. Industry 485111, Mixed Mode Transit Systems;
- Operating a subway system - classified in U.S. Industry 485119, Other Urban Transit Systems; and
- Providing scenic and sightseeing transportation - classified in Industry 487110, Scenic and Sightseeing Transportation, Land;
485113 Bus and Other Motor Vehicle Transit Systems
This U.S. industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in operating local and suburban
passenger transportation systems using buses or other motor vehicles over regular routes and on
regular schedules within a metropolitan area and its adjacent nonurban areas.
Cross-References. Establishments primarily engaged in
- Operating local and suburban passenger transportation systems using both a bus or other motor vehicle and another mode of transport - classified in U.S. Industry 485111, Mixed Mode Transit Systems;
- Providing interurban and rural bus transportation - classified in Industry 485210, Interurban and Rural Bus Transportation; and
- Providing scenic and sightseeing transportation using buses or other motor vehicles - classified in Industry 487110, Scenic and Sightseeing Transportation, Land.
485119 Other Urban Transit Systems
This U.S. industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in operating local and suburban
ground passenger transit systems (except mixed mode transit systems, commuter rail systems, and
buses and other motor vehicles) over regular routes and on regular schedules within a
metropolitan area and its adjacent nonurban areas.
Cross-References. Establishments primarily engaged in
- Operating local and suburban ground passenger transit systems using more than one mode of transport - classified in U.S. Industry 485111, Mixed Mode Transit Systems;
- Providing local and suburban passenger transportation using commuter rail systems - classified in U.S. Industry 485112, Commuter Rail Systems; and
- Operating local and suburban bus transit systems - classified in U.S. Industry 485113, Bus and Other Motor Vehicle Transit Systems.
4852 Interurban and Rural Bus Transportation
48521 Interurban and Rural Bus Transportation
See industry description for 485210 below.
485210 Interurban and Rural Bus Transportation
This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in providing bus passenger
transportation over regular routes and on regular schedules, principally outside a single
metropolitan area and its adjacent nonurban areas.
Cross-References. Establishments primarily engaged in
- Providing scenic and sightseeing transportation using buses - classified in Industry 487110, Scenic and Sightseeing Transportation, Land;
- Providing buses for charter - classified in Industry 485510, Charter Bus Industry;
- Operating local and suburban bus transit systems - classified in U.S. Industry 485113, Bus and Other Motor Vehicle Transit Systems; and
- Operating independent bus terminals - classified in Industry 488490, Other Support Activities for Road Transportation.
4853 Taxi and Limousine Service
48531 Taxi Service
See industry description for 485310 below.
485310 Taxi Service
This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in providing passenger transportation by
automobile or van, not operated over regular routes and on regular schedules. Establishments of
taxicab owner/operators, taxicab fleet operators, or taxicab organizations are included in this
industry.
Learn about operating an Airport Taxi business.
Cross-References. Establishments primarily engaged in
- Providing special needs transportation services (except to and from school or work) for the infirm, elderly, or handicapped - classified in U.S. Industry 485991, Special Needs Transportation;
- Providing limousine services - classified in Industry 485320, Limousine Service; and
- Providing scheduled shuttle services between hotels, airports, or other destination points - classified in U.S. Industry 485999, All Other Transit and Ground Passenger Transportation.
48532 Limousine Service
See industry description for 485320 below.
485320 Limousine Service
This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in providing an array of specialty and
luxury passenger transportation services via limousine or luxury sedans generally on a reserved
basis. These establishments do not operate over regular routes and on regular schedules.
Cross-References. Establishments primarily engaged in
- Providing taxi services - classified in Industry 485310, Taxi Service; and
- Providing scheduled shuttle services between hotels, airports, or other destination points - classified in U.S. Industry 485999, All Other Transit and Ground Passenger Transportation.
4854 School and Employee Bus Transportation
48541 School and Employee Bus Transportation
See industry description for 485410 below.
485410 School and Employee Bus Transportation
This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in providing buses and other motor
vehicles to transport pupils to and from school or employees to and from work.
Cross-References. Establishments primarily engaged in
- Operating local and suburban bus transit systems - classified in U.S. Industry 485113, Bus and Other Motor Vehicle Transit Systems;
- Providing interurban and rural bus transportation - classified in Industry 485210, Interurban and Rural Bus Transportation; and
- Providing buses for charter - classified in Industry 485510, Charter Bus Industry.
48551 Charter Bus Industry
See industry description for 485510 below.
485510 Charter Bus Industry
This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in providing buses for charter. These
establishments provide bus services to meet customers' road transportation needs and generally do
not operate over fixed routes and on regular schedules.
Cross-References. Establishments primarily engaged in
- Providing scenic and local sightseeing transportation using buses - classified in Industry 487110, Scenic and Sightseeing Transportation, Land; and
- Providing interurban and rural bus transportation - classified in Industry 485210, Interurban and Rural Bus Transportation.
4859 Other Transit and Ground Passenger Transportation
48599 Other Transit and Ground Passenger Transportation
This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in providing other transit and ground
passenger transportation (except urban transit systems, interurban and rural bus transportation,
taxi services, school and employee bus transportation, charter bus services, and limousine
services (except shuttle services)). Shuttle services (except employee bus) and special needs
transportation services are included in this industry. Shuttle services establishments generally
travel within a metropolitan area and its adjacent nonurban areas on regular routes, on regular
schedules and provide services between hotels, airports, or other destination points. Special
needs transportation establishments provide passenger transportation to the infirm, elderly, or
handicapped. These establishments may use specially equipped vehicles to provide passenger
transportation.
Cross-References. Establishments primarily engaged in
- Providing school or employee bus transportation for the infirm, elderly, or handicapped - classified in Industry 48541, School and Employee Bus Transportation;
- Providing ambulance services for emergency and medical purposes - classified in Industry 62191, Ambulance Services;
- Operating urban transit systems - classified in Industry Group 4851, Urban Transit Systems;
- Providing interurban and rural bus transportation - classified in Industry 48521, Interurban and Rural Bus Transportation;
- Providing taxi services and/or limousine services (except shuttle services) - classified in Industry Group 4853, Taxi and Limousine Service; and
- Providing buses for charter - classified in Industry 48551, Charter Bus Industry.
485991 Special Needs Transportation
This U.S. industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in providing special needs
transportation (except to and from school or work) to the infirm, elderly, or handicapped. These
establishments may use specially equipped vehicles to provide passenger transportation.
Cross-References. Establishments primarily engaged in
- Providing school or employee bus transportation for the infirm, elderly, or handicapped - classified in Industry 485410, School and Employee Bus Transportation; and
- Providing ambulance services for emergency and medical purposes - classified in Industry 621910, Ambulance Services.
485999 All Other Transit and Ground Passenger Transportation
This U.S. industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in providing ground passenger
transportation (except urban transit systems; interurban and rural bus transportation, taxi
and/or limousine services (except shuttle services), school and employee bus transportation,
charter bus services, and special needs transportation). Establishments primarily engaged in
operating shuttle services and vanpools are included in this industry. Shuttle services
establishments generally provide travel on regular routes and on regular schedules between
hotels, airports, or other destination points.
Learn about operating an Airport Shuttle Service business.
Cross-References. Establishments primarily engaged in
- Providing urban transit systems - classified in Industry Group 4851, Urban Transit Systems;
- Providing interurban and rural bus transportation - classified in Industry 485210, Interurban and Rural Bus Transportation;
- Providing taxi and/or limousine services (except shuttle services) - classified in Industry Group 4853, Taxi and Limousine Service;
- Providing school and employee bus transportation (including for the infirm, elderly, or handicapped) - classified in Industry 485410, School and Employee Bus Transportation;
- Providing buses for charter - classified in Industry 485510, Charter Bus Industry;
- Providing special needs transportation (except to and from school or work) for the infirm, elderly, or handicapped - classified in Industry 485991, Special Needs Transportation; and
- Providing ambulance services for emergency and medical purposes - classified in Industry 621910, Ambulance Services.
Information courtesy of the U.S. Census Bureau.
