accessibility in rural areas – benefits, threats and possibilities carl johan sjöberg – public...
TRANSCRIPT
Accessibility in rural areas – benefits, threats and possibilities
• Carl Johan Sjöberg – Public transport authority, Jönköpings County, Sweden
• Ulrika Bokeberg – Region Västra Götaland, Sweden
Our message today…
• Public transport plays an important role for sustainable growth in rural/semi-rural areas
• Especially important for young adults
• But it’s a challange....
• = Help us
Traffic safety
EnvironmentEmployment
Reduced congestion
Accessibility
Life quality
Education
HealthEquality
Enlarged ”commuter regions”= source: Thomas Ekberg,
2005
• Increased GrossRegionalProduct
• Increased salary levels
• Reduced costs for social benefits
• Better health index
• Etc…
Minutes
Com
mut
ers/
inha
bita
nts
in t
he m
unic
ipal
ityWillingness to commute in relation to time-distance
Bus project in Skaraborg, SwedenSource: Jönköping International Business School/Västtrafik
Estimated benefits
0,3 million Euro in increased tax-incomes
Estimated Costs
Increased cost of new traffic: 0,25 Million Euro
Young adults (Sweden)
Age Rural regions
Big city regions
15-25 4/10 5/10
Trips made by public transport (2009)
Low population density =
Challange for cost-efficientpublic transport
• County of Jönköping 24 inh/m2• Region of Västra Götaland 65 inh/m2• Switzerland 188 inh/m2, Netherlands 400 inh/m2
Some trends that affect demand for public transport in rural areas
• Urbanisation – especially young adults
• Community involvement / Environmental issues high on the agenda = affects attitudes
• Communication technology… social media….
What happens when you turn 25?
Age Rural regions
Big city regions
15-25 4/10 5/10
> 25 <1/10 2,5/10
Reduced public
transport use
-75 to -80 % -50 %
Trips made by public transport (2009), Sweden
All in all…we believe:
• Developing public transport contributes to rural development, growth and other benefits
• …but in sparsely populated areas with low demand we have to develop smart, cost-efficient solutions - solutions that people want!
Workshop introduction
• From what you have heard from the two presentations today:
– the Good example of Flevoland
– The benefits of accessibility in rural / semi-rural areas, but also the challenges of reduced demand
Workshop
What’s your desired scenario
For public transport in rural/semi-rural areas of Europe
in year 2020
• We want to listen to YOU
Workshop method1. Divide into 6 groups
2. List 3 desirable scenarios/ or recommended actions and rank them (15 min)
3. Decide who in the group will speak for your highest ranked scenario.
4. Join with the group next to you: The two spokes persons debate the two scenarios (7 min)
5. Vote for 1 scenario out of the two
6. Presentation 3 winning scenarios (3 min/scenario)