Integrated organization of public transportation: accessible systems for all passengers

Creating an efficient and sustainable transport system requires a focus on public transportation (PT). Since PT generally is heavily subsidized, the allocation of resources must target cost-effective systems and technologies. Therefore, the recent development in Sweden has been characterized by on one hand efficient mass transit planning in highly dense urban areas, and on the other hand integrated transport solutions in semi-rural and rural areas. This paper describes a study of one recent project in a rural area, which has aimed at integrating different publicly funded transportation systems into one single concept, combining regular PT with transportation services for children, adolescents, older and disabled passengers. The purpose of this paper was to outline and discuss effects of this integrative concept, particularly focusing the economical efficiency and accessibility (both in general and for disabled and older passengers). The selected method was a case study approach. One area in Mid-Sweden was selected, characterized by several small-sized municipalities, working together with the PTA in order to create regional seamless PT for all passengers. The previous PT system was quite poor with a comparatively low market share, the special transportation systems (STS) were dominating the total budget, and the population was aging. School children and adolescents were also a dominating bus passenger group. Analyses were made in order to evaluate supply and budget changes, effects on changes for the older and disabled, and particular cost-benefit (C/B) calculations evaluated effects of the zero-fare principle. The project called “Brukslinjen” started in august 2001. Three municipalities took over full responsibility from the PTA for all publicly funded transportation within their area, in order to achieve “more bus transit for less money”. PT, STS, non-emergency hospital transport and school buses were integrated into one system: the “Brukslinjen”. All vehicles had to be fully accessible in order to be efficiently used. No designated school buses were used. The schoolchildren used the same buses as did commuters, older or disabled passengers. The system was designed as a mix: from regular route traffic to flex route traffic, with a hub were the fixed routes and the regional train regularly meet every hour in order to create regional and interregional access. Instead of limiting older and disabled passengers’ possibilities to travel, they instead were offered a wider choice. This resulted in a modal change from STS to regular PT, and an overall increased mobility. A zero-fare system was introduced. The main reasons were actual costs (the installation of ticketing machines in the school buses), low marginal costs, marketing effects, and price-sensitive STS passengers, whose trips in STS are far more costly for society than in integrated systems. C/B-calculations showed a reduction of societal costs, resulting in net profit. By introducing the “Brukslinjen”, the costs were significantly reduced. The total trips increased, also slightly among older and disabled passenger groups. A C/B-analysis of the zero-fare policy also revealed a net profit. Another interesting result was the general experiences gained of integrated rural transport planning.