Comparing local passenger transport systems
Fifteen European cities and regions will measure and compare their performance in local passenger transport systems under a new project recently launched by the European Commission, DG VII. The Commission has also announced the launch of a European local transport information service (ELTIS) and its intention to examine the rules governing public markets for public transport. The project will comprise two stages, involving performance assessment and detailed benchmarking. During the first stage the cities involved will measure and compare the performance of their local transport systems against key indicators, based on the results of several Commission research projects. The second stage will involve detailed benchmarking which will examine selected topics where a priority for improvement has been identified. This will be followed up in 1999 through the encouragement of more widespread use of benchmarking by public authorities and operators. A handbook on benchmarking local public transport will be published and a database of results obtained will be made widely available. The communication "Developing the Citizens' Network" outlines the Commission's intentions to bring forward legislative proposals to ensure more transparency in public tendering and fair competition in public transport services. It states that public service requirements should be expressed in clear contracts between authorities and operators and that financial compensation should be directly related to deficit incurred through the provision of additional services. The information service to be developed, the European Local Transport Information Service (ELTIS), will consist of a database of information on local and regional passenger transport of all types. It will contain information on service design, accessibility, planning and use and pricing. The service, of which a pilot is already available, will be fully operational by November 1998. The communication also outlines the Commission's intention to examine how financial instruments, such as the European Regional Development Fund, the trans-European transport network (TENs) and the Transport research programme, could be used to ensure that local transport projects contribute best to regional development and to safe, efficient and sustainable transport.