An efficiency audit conducted by a major accounting firm predicted a mere 5 percent savings if the plants were privately managed. Confident that the private sector could actually do better, the city went ahead and put the plants up for competitive bid. Its findings are significant and its recommendations should be implemented, but its focus was narrow. The audit represents a first step, but does not provide the legislature with enough information to make critical transportation decisions. Comprehensive reform is needed, both on the expenditure side and the revenue side, in order to address the state's long-term transportation needs.
More work remains to be done.