For increasing sustainable mobility the cities need policies that would focus on the solutions encouraging the use of public transport, a means which has a major contribution in improving the quality of life. Public transport has to be stimulated both by initiating projects that bring benefits compared to individual motorized transport and by adopting measures supporting public transport. Therefore, the moment when public transport becomes more attractive than individual transport, then we can talk about a green city which “respects” its citizens and provides them with an increased quality of life.
The event “Urban governance: getting people on board” organised by UITP during October 5-7 in Gothenburg (Sweden) and recommended by URTP (Romanian Union of Public Transport) aims at promoting good practices in the area of urban governance and demand management.
“By transferring the knowledge of international mobility experts, this event will look to inspire and raise awareness among transport authorities, mobility professionals, governments and local officials who should launch projects for increasing the use of public transport”, declares Hans Rat, UITP Secretary General while referring to the event.
To reach the target of doubling the public transport market share worldwide by 2025 (under UITP’s “PTx2” strategy), a radical change in the transport concept is necessary, as well as raising people’s awareness on public transport and strongly supporting the political class for integrated policies.
“ We need to change minds and attitudes of all the staff involved in urban mobility – well beyond the transport department. And all of them have for decades done things different than what they need to do now. If we meet that challenge, change is a piece of cake”, says Karl-Heinz Posch, Coordinator, European Platform on Mobility Management (EPOMM).
To attract citizens, public transport has to bet on its advantages compared to personal vehicles. The authorities have to answer the challenges and give public transport the opportunity to become the citizens’ mode of choice in terms of mobility.
“Our goal is to double our ridership by 2020. That means that we have to be open to new challenges and new ideas; we have to turn perceived threats into possibilities”, says Roger Vahnberg, Senior Vice President, Västtrafik, Gothenburg.
Apart from increasing the quality of life and the development of social relationships, public transport is one of the most important factors triggering the economic growth and development. The consolidation of public transport becomes a priority in the process of economic development. “Transport is fundamental to our economies and to enable growth and combat congestion – good models of urban governance are essentials to make this happen”, says Geoff Inskip, Chair, Passenger Transport Executive Group (PTEG), Great Britain.
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