Implementing Intermodal Public Transport in the Developing World

The paper demonstrates that introducing intermodal public transport in the developing world does not necessarily conflict with the increasing demand for fiscal efficiency and operational effectiveness of public transport services. An intermodal public transport system, founded on the core principle that the need to move people must take precedence over the desire to move (private) vehicles, can find a balance between economic and financial constraints, social obligation and providing mobility for all. This paper draws upon the Cairo experience within the context of intermodal public transport. Following a definition of intermodality, current socio-economic and transport relationships in Cairo are briefly summarized, as are the main shortfalls from an intermodal perspective. This, is turn, leads to a discussion of strategic approaches used in the formulation of the intermodal master plan. A more specific case study involving a high-priority public transport project is presented; specifically, implementing state-of-the-art Light Rail Transit technology in an urban corridor currently served by antiquated trams. The adopted intermodal approach integrates hardware (infrastructure), software (intermodal coordination, integrated ticketing) and humanware (organizational restructuring, training programs) requirements with potential implementation under the umbrella of a public-private sectors partnership.