SUCCESSFUL PUBLIC TRANSPORT IN URBAN REGIONS: A EUROPEAN STUDY ON POLICY AND PRACTICE

With the implementation of public transport measures, such as the realization of light-rail projects, local governments often want to achieve several results, such as increasing public transport usage, decreasing car usage, or increasing the cost-coverage ratios of public transport companies. However, in practice, these goals are not always achieved. The Transport Research Centre (AVV) of the Dutch Ministry of Transport, Public Works, and Water Management undertook research that, by studying examples of successful European applications of public transport, investigated how to reach those goals. The research focused on two main questions: Which European urban public transport systems are successful, and which factors attributed to this success? The factors studies are integrated transport policy, administrative organization, public transport measures, specific urban characteristics, policies, and developments in urban planning and economy. Several European cities were visited, and persons involved in the local and regional public transport planning were interviewed. A theory about how to achieve successful public transport is formulated, based on the experiences in these cities. Discussion highlights conclusions drawn from the study. It has emerged that a stronger position for public transport, together with a related increase in public transport usage, is the result of three factors: strategy, organization, and quality; these concepts are explained. The local authorities' strategy on traffic and transport in general and on public transport in particular is of great importance for public transport. Their vision of the relationships between transport and urban planning is also important. If public transport is to be a success, a clear choice must be implemented consistently and fully. Push-policy on cars forms a part of the integrated policy. Thus, strategy has to do not only with an underlying plan but also with enterprise, official and political courage, and creativity. The administrative organization concerning public transport has to be directed toward thinking and cooperating in a regional context. This can result in consistent regional transport systems. Fare integration and interconnecting transport systems are aspects that should be targeted. The quality of public transport covers a number of aspects. It is not just about factors like price, comfort, accessibility, and frequencies; it is also about more sensitive aspects such as image and adaptation in the urban environment. Strategy, organization, and quality are the prerequisites for the creation of a high-quality transport system that gives public transport a strong position in the transport market and thus promotes its use.