Cases Studies in Improving Interconnectivity between Passenger Transport Modes-the Context of the EU Transport Policy Objectives

The paper deals with the problem of interconnection between long and short distance passenger transport. Conclusions presented are results of research conducted within INTERCONNECT EU project (INTERCONNECTion Between Short- and Long-Distance Transport Networks, project co-funded by the European Commission within the Seventh Framework Programme, Theme 7 Transport (www.interconnect-project.eu). Synthetic analysis of solutions allowing for better integration of transport modes is presented. Specific real life cases provide examples how theoretical solutions could be adapted in practice, what actions are plausible and what barriers are faced. The particular focus are those journeys which might benefit from more effective interconnection between different modes and services, and those situations where effective interconnection is currently hampered by institutional barriers, lack of investment or failure to innovate. The topic of interconnection has particular relevance at the European level because the transport networks’ role is compromised by poor interconnectivity and because the next generation of European transport policies will have to be sensitive to the differences between short, medium and long-term transport markets and the market advantages of each transport mode. Moreover, the improvement of interconnectivity results in greater efficiency and reduced environmental impact of passenger transport by judicious encouragement of integration, co-operation and, where appropriate, competition in the provision of local connections. In the paper authors also present synthetic results of the analysis of the outcomes of the selected case studies at a European level in the light of EU strategic policies and their implications in the different scale of transport networks and modes.