INTERFACE - Intermodal cross-border passenger transport solutions supporting regional integration of interface regions in SBA
Overview
Background & policy context:
Crossing SBA as foot passenger by ferry has lost its importance during the last decades. This trend has triggered a circuit of negative effects, becoming evident especially in interface areas. Services of infrastructure providers & transport operators are adjusted to cargo & car passenger traffic only, whereas raising service requirements of foot passengers were neglected completely. Ferry ports do not even offer a minimum of service quality, but present themselves as unattractive waiting areas. Transport operators linking ports with cities strongly lack interoperability. Access for people with reduced mobility is limited. Infrastructure gaps additionally hinder smooth transport chains. As a consequence attractiveness of cross-border foot passenger transport is poor & suffers a low demand.
Objectives:
Interface main objective is to develop foot passenger traffic to a comfortable & environmental friendly alternative for SBA cross-border travel. In detail the project wants to upgrade the service environment in ferry ports, facilitate access for handicapped, improve interoperability between ferry & transport means linking ports with city centres, implement intermodal passenger information, prepare investments to close gaps in transport infrastructure & promote improved connections.
Major target groups are foot passengers, traffic operators, ports & port cities. Partnership reflects practicability, sustainability & interoperability. Project activities are focused on the transport axes Karlskrona-Gdynia, Gdansk-Kaliningrad & Trelleborg/Gedser-Rostock but consider ports in the whole SBA as well. Interface improves the service quality for foot passengers in ferry ports by analysing their service infrastructure in the light of customers needs & setting minimum standards for service environment based on a SBA-wide benchmark study.
The results will be compiled in port related action plans. First implementations will be started. Interface closes gaps betw. ports & cities & improves interoperability by harmonizing timetables, implementing intermodal (passenger) info systems/communication tools, testing new shuttle services & preparing feasibility studies for infrastructure investments.
Finally improved connections will be spread to the public by developing & testing intermodal combi-tickets, connected with target group-oriented offers & accomplishing advertisement campaigns & awareness conferences.
Expected results are:
- Enhanced number & satisfaction of foot passengers in SBA.
- Accelerated interoperability of passenger transport means.
- Easier access to intermodal traffic information.
- Better consideration of (handicapped) passenger rights.
- Increased role of cross-border public passenger transport.
- Enhanced economic efficiency of public transport systems.
- Better prerequisites for infrastructure investments diminishing gaps & upgrading service environments.
- Speeded up regional integration.
- Enhanced benefit of SBA interface cities from passenger transport.
- Increased political awareness.
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