Better everyday mobility through improved public transport. Public Transport Action Plan 2009-2015

The goal of the public transport action plan is to increase the importance and status of public transport policy and to define concrete short and medium-term measures with which such players as the state, municipalities and transport operators can increase the attractiveness of public transport and enhance the standard of passenger service. The action plan can be used in the development of an integrated comprehensive public transport service that will be easy to use for all traveller groups. The measures of the action plan were considered in four workshops under the themes: small towns and rural areas, medium-sized and large cities, long-distance transport, and the service (improvement of the public transport image, information and marketing, development of compatible and consistent ticket and information systems). The workshops were addressed to a wide range of public transport actors and interest groups. The steering influence of land use and planning on public transport demand and service development potential was considered important. The role of bicycle and pedestrian transport as a sustainable transport mode was discussed to such an extent that a theme package for pedestrians and cyclists was suggested as one of the key measures. Descriptions, impacts, finance requirements and development paths of the key measures until 2015 have been presented as separate action cards. Government's role in the implementation and financing is significant, but the contributions of municipalities, transport operators and other public transport organisations in the implementation process are equally important. As a result of the action plan the passenger service in urban and long-distance transport will improve. In small towns and rural areas, people without private cars will be provided with adequate public transport services to meet their everyday mobility needs. The public transport development measures will improve the operational preconditions for businesses. The combined effect of all the measures will improve the competitiveness of public transport in comparison to the use of cars. This will result in a decrease in the kilometrage and in greenhouse gas emissions from traffic. It will also increase the number of public transport passengers by some 20 million trips a year. This report may be found at http://www.lvm.fi/c/document_library/get_file?folderId=339549&name=DLFE-7222.pdf&title=Julkaisuja%2019-2009