Plotting a new course for public transportationwww.attacproject.eu

The project is co-financed by the European Union and the Republic of Hungary in the frame of the South East Europe Transnational Cooperation Programme.

Table of contents:

I. Introduction1, Challenge to be addressed 2, Project background3, Comprehensive approach

II. Objectives of the project III. Methodology of project work and project outcomesIV. PartnershipV. Short introduction of Project Partners

ATTAC Team in Hungary, Kick-off meeting, 24-25 May 2011

ATTAC partners believe that through the ATTAC project, ambitious cities from new member states can join forces with more developed European cities and regions to prepare the reform and

development of their urban public transport systems in a coordinated approach, towards more liveable, cleaner and better accessible cities and regions, for the benefit of the whole South East

European space.

Abbreviations:

PT: public transportTF: Task ForceMT: Mobility ToolboxSEE: South East Europe SUTP: Sustainable Urban Transportation PlanJTS: Joint Technical Secretariat

Grant Agreement number: SEE/B/0004/3.1/XProject duration: January 2011 – December 2013

I. Introduction

1, Challenge to be addressed

Most transport starts and ends in urban areas, thus they should provide efficient interconnections for transportation networks. ATTAC cities/regions (important nodes of the EU transportation network) are facing increasing mobility needs, intensified suburbanisation, escalating traffic flows and congestion. This led to poor accessibility of these regions and externalities that negatively affect the environment. A major reason of congestion in ATTAC areas is the ever growing use of private cars. The reduction of car use and the shift to sustainable transportation modes would be crucial, but public transport (PT) is often perceived by customers as uncomfortable and rigid. 2, Project background

The regional centre Miskolc is Hungary's third largest city, and linked to the European motorway network via E79. Due to this, and the proximity of many state borders it has become a regional logistics centre. The city has to bear the consequences of the traffic-generating and traffic-attracting effect arising from this role. The freight traffic crossing the city due to its gateway position, coupled with congestion generated by private cars and decrease of the number of public transport users have started to cause serious problems in the city. In 2008 the City decided to find sustainable solutions to this problem. Since its challenges are valid in other regions located along to the EU transport network, Miskolc Holding (responsible for the management of PT in the city) has decided to initiate an international project in order to tackle the subject in a coordinated, joint approach.

3, Comprehensive approach

Transport development in South East Europe is so far characterized by large infrastructure investments (road, rail, tram), while 'softer' issues that make urban PT more attractive and easy-to-use are fragmented. ATTAC Project Partners have realised that a parallel approach is needed which is linked to both infrastructural improvements but also to measures that stimulate the use of PT as a really competitive alternative for private car use.

II. Objectives of the project

The GENERAL AIM of the project is to improve the coordination in promoting, planning and operating urban/agglomeration public transportation networks in order to better integrate ATTAC cities and regions into SEE transport backbone as effective main and intermediate nodes of trans-national accessibility, and to reduce bottlenecks in European transport corridors. The SPECIFIC OBJECTIVE of the project is to introduce attractive and sustainable PT solutions and services in ATTAC cities which will significantly contribute to raising the share of public/collective transportation modes at ATTAC locations, creating a framework for a seamless journey to all passengers, with special regard to commuters and long distance travellers.

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Methodology of project work and project outcomes

Project Partners work in 3 interlinked thematic fields to generate concrete results and prepare investments. Project Task Forces (TFs) set up during the preparation phase of the project investigate innovative tools in the field of 1) flexible PT solutions, 2) integrated ticketing/smart card systems and 3) intelligent passenger information.

Firstly, Task Forces collect Best Practices of urban PT solutions in all 3 areas and will put together a Joint Best Practice Report which will serve as a baseline for fine tuning the pre-selected PT tools/solutions to be tested during the project.

The jointly defined solutions in all themes will be tested via PILOT PROJECTS to examine the applicability of ideas in various local environments, whereby giving credence to transnational efforts made to solve local challenges.

MobiLABs (platforms to bring problems, ideas and solutions together in interactive discussions) will bridge the transnationally designed pilots with regional implementation.

Each pilot will result in a case study, which will be concluded in a Transnational Case Study by each Task Force.

In order to accelerate the findings of the Transnational Case Studies and combine these with external expertise a Master Class will be held.

The results of testing and other project outputs feed the Urban Mobility Toolbox (MT), the core output of ATTAC project. Envisioned MT is a collection of good strategies/tools for making South East European (SEE) cities/regions effective nodes of transnational accessibility. It will also refer to the transferability potential of the urban public transportation solutions, and the political framework necessary for the implementation of the tools/measures.

The implementation of MT measures in ATTAC locations occurs via the Sustainable Urban Transportation Plans (SUTPs). SUTPs are long-term political visions for urban mobility with short term measures/actions including funding plans via national resources and other EU financial instruments, which will strengthen commitment to sustaining pilot results, turning them into real investments.

To facilitate stakeholder involvement during the development of SUTPs, each Project Partner will set up a local Mobility Forum.

Moreover, a Knowledge Transfer Programme will be designed targeted at cities beyond ATTAC partners, EU networks working in the field of urban PT and national/EU decision makers. In the frame of this Programme Virtual Contact Points will be set up by each Project Partner to disseminate ATTAC knowledge.

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III. Partnership

‘Intensive exchange of experiences will help not to reinvent the wheel and not to make the same mistakes'

(Application Form of ATTAC project initiated in 2010 to the SEE JTS)

ATTAC project includes 9 Project Partners from 7 SEE countries, representing 8 regions in 5 new and 3 old member states, which share the problems (on different levels) of increasing car dependency and mobility, intensified suburbanisation and escalating traffic flows. Furthermore, ATTAC cities and regions serve as main or intermediate nodes in the transportation network since all are located on one, or at a junction of several Class-A European Roads. Most ATTAC cities are directly situated on the envisaged Pan-European Corridors, and some are connected to these by "A" roads.

Institutional sustainability of project outcomes is guaranteed by the decision making power of the partner institutions directly responsible for the design and implementation of local/regional PT policies and development (public- and transport authorities, mobility agencies), and other competent partners having significant influencing power (university, transportation associations).

In addition, implementation of ATTAC project is supported by 3 Associated Partners and 6 Observer Partners in order to get more experts on board and ensure broad dissemination throughout Europe.

Location of ATTAC cities and regions in the European transport network

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IV. Short introduction of Project Partners

Miskolc Holding Plc (MH) is one of Miskolc town's most capital-intensive company groups, a defining participant of the town's business life. Its wide-scope activity embracing also economy development activities is the token of the town's dynamic development. Affiliated corporations ensure services necessary for everyday life; they operate the district heating-, water- and sewage services, waste management, public transportation and parking system. Town planning, townscape rejuvenation, town maintenance and downtown rehabilitation coordination constitute integral part of their activities.

Miskolc Public Transport Company (MPTC), who is the one of member company of MH, operates a bus line network of 152.9 km, a tramline network of 11.6 km with 36 bus routes and 2 tramlines in 2011. MPTC employs 950 persons and provides connections to a daily average of 280,000 passengers. The development aim of MPTC is improve its public transport (PT) services and increasing the number of PT users for the purpose of improving efficiency, facilitating a user-friendly approach and improving competitiveness.

Modena Mobility and Local Public Transport Agency S.p.a. (aMo) is the provincial public transport authority of the Modena Province. Its role is defined by the national and regional laws concerning PT in Italy and Emilia-Romagna. aMo provides PT services to the Modena Province area and to its 694.000 inhabitants and it strictly cooperates with the local Municipalities. The main challenge in the field of accessibility in the province and in Modena is congestion, mainly caused by the intense inter borough commuting, which is a result of industrial activities that operate in the region.

Marche Region Transport Department is the institutional setting in charge of PT planning and policy; it co-finances services supply and promote sustainable transport systems. The Public Transport Regional Plan, approved on 2010, underlines the value of a environmental-friendly and safe transport and furthermore it states one of the main strategic objectives for public transport evolution is improving new specific actions regard Information and Communication Technology solutions on public transport as info-mobility. Since 2009, the Region is working on e-ticketing system testing to replace standard pass. This innovative technological system lead to plan all routes “from–to”, costs, timetable, connections, allowing to save up to the 30% of the traditional travel documents costs. On 2009/10 the Region financed this actions with about 1,5 M€ and with 0.4 M€ co-financed the “Informed Management of Mobility” PJ in collaboration with local provinces and supported by Elisa National Government Programme.

LP – Miskolc Holding Plc.

Pp1 – Modena Mobility and Local Public Transport Agency S.p.a.

PP2 – Marche Regional Government

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PP3 – Oradea Local Transport Company

Oradea Local Transport Company (SC OTL SA), was constituted on the basis of the Law No.31/1990 regarding the companies, being owned by the City of Oradea (North-West Region of Romania) and representing the sole local public transport operator within the administrative area of the City. The main objective of SC OTL SA is to ensure the local public transport (with 74 tramways and 77 buses) at the level of the City of Oradea for almost 161.000 (in 2010) users, on a daily basis. The main challenges for SC OTL SA consist in the expansion of the offered public transport services from the local level to the metropolitan zone.

Burgas is a city of 210,000 inhabitants, located in the province of Burgas, Bulgaria. Burgas is administrative governmental institution, comprised of 13 living areas- 2 cities, 11 villages with own town halls. Burgas is an important center for the sea tourism with plenty of facilities and transport connections to the resorts on the South Black Sea coast. The use of public transport is at a moderate level compared with other Bulgarian cities. The city of Burgas has implemented the following measures aimed at improving the quality of public transportation services: the purchase of 10 buses running on compressed natural gas (CNG) to promote clean fuels; the creation of special services for handicapped passengers- “CALL AND GET A RIDE“, including the installation of audible traffic signals for the visually impaired; and creation of bicycle routes. In 2011 started integrated urban transport project. Specific goals of the project are creating a long-term strategy for urban transport development (introduction of a bus rapid transit (BRT) system, intelligent transportation system (ITS); development of a blue-zone parking system for the city center; renewal of bus stops; creation of a multimodal system integrating bus, rail and marine transportation, etc.).

PP4 – Municipality of Burgas

PP5 – City of Košice

The city of Košice, with a population of 240.000, is the second largest city in Slovakia. Košice has a strong economic background, and the city creates employment opportunities for the population of the surrounding region as well as its own. Its advantageous location made Košice a key economic region and the centre of important trade routes that is supported also by its position as an important railway junction and international airport. The Košice public transit system includes trams, buses, and trolleybuses. There are 15 tram lines, with total length of 177 km, 41 bus routes with total length of 743.1 km, and two trolleybus routes with total length of 25.1km. Contactless smart cards issued by most Slovak public transport companies are accepted.The main local problems and challenges of the Kosice urban transport system are the lack of integration between the different modes of transport, outdated infrastructure and poor passenger information. Surveys showed that passenger information is one of the most important services that passengers mention as a desirable feature of PT in Kosice.

University of Maribor - Faculty of civil engineering conducts international, national and regional scientific and R and D projects and carries out studies and provide expert opinions for different institutions, enterprises and other clients. 30 full-time employees in

the field of transportation engineering are carrying out the projects and scientific work in the field of:

- traffic policy, transportation planning, mobility management, transportation modeling,

Pp6 – University of Maribor

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The Thessaloniki Public Transport Authority (acronym: THE.P.T.A.) is a

public administration body of the Greater Metropolitan Area of

Thessaloniki under the Central Government Ministry of Infrastructure,

Transport and Networks. Its main responsibilities include transport

policy formulation for the Greater Thessaloniki Area, strategic transport

planning, programming of interventions, as well as supervision and

quality control of all of Public Transport Operators at the Prefecture of Thessaloniki. Its main role is to define

the public transport policy framework for the city and implement an integrated package of policy guidelines

according to the formulated policy.

THE.P.T.A. also has the functional supervision of O.A.S.Th., the sole private bus operator in Thessaloniki.

THEPTA has defined the main areas of PT which should be enhanced (eg.DRT, transport telematics, RTI, etc.)

to make the system more attractive to passengers, and which could contribute to improve the modal split in

the city. The most important aim of PTA is to promote intermodality between urban PT, and later with other

transport modes (air, water).

PP7 – Thessaloniki Public Transport Authority

- traffic technique, traffic safety, traffic calming, road constructing, introduction and use of modern information systems in freight and passengers transport,- transportation economics, - spatial development, urban planning, regional planning, urban design, architectural design, environmental protection,- construction and traffic informatics.

PP8 – Central European Initiative – Executive Secretariat

The Central European Initiative (CEI), composed of 18 Member States, is the largest and oldest forum of regional cooperation in Central, Eastern and South-Eastern Europe. Its origin lies in the creation of a Quadrangolare on 11 November 1989 in Budapest by Italy, Austria, Hungary and the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (SFRY). In 1992, the organisation was named Central European Initiative when a number of countries were admitted as Member States. Current Membership: 18 Member States (9 EU and 9 non-EU Member States): Albania, Austria, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Italy, Macedonia, Moldova, Montenegro, Poland, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia and Ukraine.Once predominantly oriented towards policy dialogue, the CEI has progressively added economic growth and human development as pillars of cooperation. Its main focus is on capacity building, sharing experience and know-how transfer in order to achieve cohesion in areas of mutual interest and assist its non-EU CEI Member States in consolidating their economic and social development in view of further integration and accession to the European Union.

Main projects can be divided into international projects (EU projects, INTERREG, etc.) and national projects. Centre for Mobility studies is the organisational unit carrying out all the projects in the field of mobility management, public transportation, transportation modeling, transportation economy and related (is the applying unit).

Maribor has around 200.000 inhabitants faces serious problems in urban mobility: low use of PT, non passenger-friendly PT network design, car oriented city centre and the lack of intermodality. Although a lot has been done to facilitate the solution of these problems, concrete future investments need to be prepared in order to make a step forward in fighting congestion and creating a more liveable city.

The CEI has managed 17 EU funded projects since its inception with a total value of 10.020.000 Euro managed by the CEI, both as Lead Partner and Partner in different EU programmes (Central Europe, Culture 2007-2013, INTERREG, MED Programme, South East Europe, and FP7).

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Further partners involved in the implementation of the ATTAC project

Associated Partners (ASP):

EU ASP1: Municipality of Maribor, Slovenia

EU ASP2: The Romanian Union of Public Transport, Romania

EU ASP3: Public Transport Company Kosice, Slovakia

Observer Partners (OP):

OP1: ICLEI Local Governments for Sustainability, European Secretariat Ltd., Italy

OP2: EPIVATIS - Greek Public Transport Users Association, Greece

OP3: Burgasbus Ltd., Bulgaria

Op4: Federmobilitá, Italy

Op5: Municipality of Miskolc (department of Building Environment and City operation), Hungary

Op6: Municipality of Ancona, Italy

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Web: www.attacproject.euContact person: Ms Beatrix Surányi

E-mail: suranyi.beatrix@miskolcholding.huTelephone: +36/46/516-478

LEGAL DISCLAIMER: The sole responsibility for the content of this brochure lies with the authors. It does not represent the opinion of the Community. The European Commission is not responsible for any use that may be made of the information contained therein.