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“If You're Just a Bus Community … You're Second Tier”: Motivations for Rapid Mass Transit (RMT) Development in Two Mid-sized Cities

This article considers the motivations for rapid mass transit (RMT) development in two mid-sized cities: Auckland, New Zealand and Edmonton, Canada. To understand these cities' investment in RMT, we weigh factors related to interurban competition (around economic and non-economic factors) as well as explanations grounded in utilitarian and local benefits. Key informants reported that concerns for urban image and competitiveness were important in both cities. RMT was understood to contribute to both economic performance and international reputation, especially in Auckland. Local benefits related to improvements in economic efficiency and meeting city residents' demand for high-quality public transport.