It is pointed out that an adoption of self-service barrier-free fare collection system is quite effective with a view to promoting introduction of LRT (Light Rail Transit) and securing its efficient operation. It is also argued that, when self-service barrier-free fare collection system is adopted, the degree of extra fare currently stipulated in ministry orders should be raised. For the sake of encouraging appropriate discussion on this issue, this article elaborates the mechanism and limitation of application of extra fare which is a sanction based on civil law. In addition, this article intends to develop clear explanation that a raise of extra fare embraces many difficult points to be resolved as a legislative policy matter even though it requires only a revision of ministry orders.

Most developed countries have adopted decentralization in political system delegating many authorities to local government. However, in France and Japan many authorities are still with central government. But France started the movement to decentralize their system from the beginning of 1980’. They enacted many laws for decentralization. And finally to legitimize decentralization fully, the Constitution of the Fifth Republic, which has been promulgated in 1956 was amended in 2003. In order to realize the spirits of this constitution, many laws have been enacted. These laws transfer many authorities on transports from central government to local governments. While promoting the decentralization of authorities in Japan, those French experiences are very much valuable. The purposes of this research are, especially focusing on transportation field, firstly to show an overview of the decentralization of political system in France, which started from the beginning of 1980’, and then to examine clearly the policy and authorities devolved after the amendment of Republic’s constitution in 2003.

After the bus deregulation, various problems have shown up outside of London regarding bus services and these situations is in contrast to the ones apparent in London in terms of bus patronage in particular. There are some cities which have made a challenging and innovative effort to attract local people to patronize the bus services outside of London, including the package approaches and the guided busway projects in the Cambridge County Council. This survey examines and discusses recent performances of bus operations and policy directions of the local transport policies.