Public Transport
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Travel guarantees create goodwill for public transport and new technology can increase security on buses and trains. Other ways to promote public transport is by improving connections between different modes of transport.
Bad reputation can be a reason why people choose not to travel by public transport. Maybe people expect delays, feel unsafe or hesitate because of complicated interchanges. Travellers also might not know about the service provided.
All these problems can however be addressed with good results.
Stockholm and Graz have used different methods for keeping passengers well informed and satisfied with the service. Lille has dealt with safety issues, as well as better transport interchanges. The latter have also been addressed within Trendsetter in Graz and Prague.
Information and service to passengersMarketing and image-strengthening activities are good ways to keep customers and attract more public transport passengers. Trendsetter shows some examples of innovative and flexible marketing initiatives.
In Stockholm, a travel guarantee has resulted in a lot of goodwill for the operator and satisfied customers. The guarantee secures travellers from time-delays at major traffic disturbances since they are compensated for the taxi cost. Furthermore, a direct marketing campaign for new habitants has resulted in new passengers. Contact is also made directly to large companies. Overall, the number of public transport passengers in Stockholm and their opinion about the service is increasing.
Graz has rebuilt and improved bus and tram stops. The stops were provided with shelters and surfaces that made access easier for mobility impaired. According to passengers, public transport has become more attractive through the reconstruction. The only complaints concern lack of green areas in the surroundings.
Public transport safetyIn order for public transport to be safe, there should be rapid intervention in case of problems and more human presence. Lille has introduced “friendly agents” in the metro and on buses and trains. The agents and the drivers have modern communication equipment and can call for help immediately if there is an emergency. There is also bus localisation service and better cooperation between the public transport operators and the police. The investment costs are high but have led to significant savings in managing the security at Lille metropolis level. Also, the feeling of security is rising on buses and trams.
Public transport connections Smooth and well-planned interchanges are vital for passengers. Crossing streets must be safe and there need to be enough parking spaces. Also, it should be easy for travellers to shift between different kinds of public transport as well as between public and individual transport.
Lille is making big investments in a large area in order to improve intermodality. Twelve intermodal nodes are planned, with connections between buses, taxi, trains, cars and bicycles. The transformation is not ready, but the citizens are expected to cut a lot of travel time with the new infrastructure. Private car use is also supposed to decrease.
Both Graz and Lille have set up new Park&Ride facilities within Trendsetter. At the same time, Graz has reorganized bus lines and introduced new ones. Together, the measures have improved the public transport services in Graz and led to satisfied customers. As for Lille, the new Park&Ride lots have been a big success and made more commuters leave their car and continue with public transport.
Prague has established a new city bus line with small city buses for an area with narrow and winding roads. The area has a lot of hospitals and clinics. Therefore, the buses are adapted to disabled by special boarding. The line also connects to important transport nodes. In spite of some doubt, the new bus line has been a success.
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