New technologies for inter-regional distances are less developed, while modal options are limited compared to cities. However, this is the sector where the White Paper on Transport can have the most direct impact as there are less constraints related to subsidiarity or international agreements. It is not likely that the simple use of more energy efficient vehicles and of cleaner fuels would ensure the necessary cut of emissions and the congestion problem.
A better integration of modal networks will lead to an increasing number of modal options, therefore airports, ports, railways, the underground and bus stations should be tightly connected and transformed into platforms of multimodal links for passengers. Online information systems and electronic booking and payment systems which integrate all transport means should facilitate multimodal journeys. A broader use of collective transport modes should be accompanied by an adequate set of rights for the passengers.
Although the scope of public service obligations is broadly extended in EU member states, many of the land passenger transport services necessary from the point of view of the general economic interest cannot yet operate commercially. The competent authorities of member states have to be able to act in order to ensure the provision of this kind of services. The mechanisms that these authorities can use to ensure the provision of public passenger transport services include the attribution of exclusive rights for public services providers, the allocation of financial compensations for public services providers and the definition of general public transport exploitation norms applicable to all operators.
Many member states have adopted regulations which stipulate the attribution of exclusive rights and public service obligations at least for part of their public transport market based on transparent, competitive and fair attribution procedures. Consequently, commercial exchange between member states have significantly developed and a series of public service operators are currently providing public passenger transport services in several member states. However, the evolution of national regulations has led to disparities between the applied procedures and have generated a legal insecurity regarding the rights of public services providers and the obligations of competent authorities.
The public service contract has to support railway passenger transport operators and support the intensification of multimodal passenger transport.
An increased share of public transport journeys combined with minimum service obligations will permit denser and more frequent services thus generating a favourable circle for public transport modes. Demand management and land use plans can reduce traffic volumes. Urban and suburban rail transport, facilitating walking and cycling should become an integrated part of urban mobility and infrastructure design.
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