With the EU Cohesion Policy funds to a single ticket in passenger transportation
Government Office for Local Self-Government and Regional Policy, as the Managing Authority, issued a decision on the allocation of funds for the realization of integrated public transportation. The more than 7.3 million Euros worth project is part of the Operational Programme of Environmental and Transport Infrastructure Development for the 2007-2013 programming period and will be financed from the Cohesion Fund in the amount of 6.2 million Euros.
The central objective of the project, which will be realised by the Directorate of Transport by the end of 2014, is to organize the entire public transportation system in such a manner that it will prove comfortable, fast and simple for use with prices competitive to passenger cars. This will, consequently, create conditions to facilitate the use of public transport as well as its affordability.
The objective of the project is to establish an integrated system of public transportation of railway and bus services (regional and city bus transportation). Integration will be established at several levels, namely at the level of integration of schedules and fares as well as at the level of establishing the conditions for spatial integration with the objective of faster travelling and increased passenger comfort.
The introduction of a single ticket, which will be valid within certain zones, will ensure that the passenger will be able to use the same ticket without any additional cots in case of changing lines – the same or different transport modes within the zone or zones. The basis of spatial integration is the establishment of system solutions in the field of spatial planning documents of municipalities which have to plan spatial development activities in such a way that they will direct the development of settlements and regions in ensuring effective implementation of public transportation, the regulation of the transfer points (stations and stops), the regulation of P + R (park and ride) in a such way that will enable passengers to cross quickly, safely and comfortably.
The realization of the project will also contribute to the realisation of important social and economic objectives, such as integration of rural areas. Improved traffic fluidity will increase the competitiveness of cities and the economy and, ultimately, the realisation of the project will contribute to reducing the negative environmental impacts.
