Sort of reminds me of the Bangkok "public" bus system. While the city does own a bus line there are also privately owned bus systems. I missed one bus to a particular destination within the city but no worries, another bus was a few minutes behind the public one going to the same destination for about the same rate. Very convenient.
I
The Detroit bus company has a good as needed business model. They don’t have regular routes but a phone app tells you were the closest bus will be so you can meet it or even call for it to come to you.
And best of all, they advertize that drinking alcohol is allowed on their buses which clinches the deal and proves that they don’t get taxpayer dollars.
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/3024622/posts