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)

Challenges-”Lost in a pancake”

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)