During November 6-8, 2011, Venice will host UITP’s international conference called “Making public transport part of a modern lifestyle? Yes, we can!”, an event that it will continue to aim at doubling the market share of international public transport by 2025 and the importance of public transport for improving the life quality.This would be achievable by involving all parties activating in the area which will reach UITP’s target if they implement joint projects.
Therefore, the priorities of urban transport are divided into five strategic axes referring to financing, urban administration, demand management, business sector and market demand tailored services. All these priorities are based on a well-justified reason: change.
Creating a positive change in service culture and customer orientation: the success of training and learning is one of the main topics launched by UITP via the event, thus encouraging a change of mentality as regards public transport, leading to the adoption of a lifestyle focused on environmentally friendly mobility, socialisation and leisure in a healthy and life quality environment for citizens.
For increasing the market share of public transport, cities have to promote this transport mode among citizens by launching learning programmes. But changing the citizens’ mindset is not the only missing piece in the puzzle, but also the authorities’ implication in drafting the legislation. Here is the following example: if a city area has parking lots, and if these parking lots have free parking spaces, then the citizens will not give up their own vehicles in favour of public transport, thus being encouraged to use private motorized vehicles. If the law bans the parking of a car in a city area, then the citizens will be forced not to park their car in such an area because they risk tickets. However, if the authorities permit parking in specific area, with no charges and conditions whatsoever, the citizens will continue parking where they are allowed to. Indeed, the choice has a cultural background, but the law can have its saying.
For setting-up public transport facilities or for developing bicycle or leisure area, local authorities have to get informed and take into account the will of people: if they don’t need them, all these facilities will be useless…and thus we return once again to the importance of education and raising awareness programme which will have a vital contribution to adopting a healthy lifestyle.
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