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E U R O P E A N M E T R O P O L I T A N T R A N S P O R T A U T H O R I T I E S
April 2006 - n° 24
� The European Commission adoptedthe Thematic Strategy on the UrbanEnvironmentFollowing the communication “Towards aThematic Strategy on the Urban Environment”,adopted in February 2004, the EU commissionadopted on 11 January 2006 the expectedThematic Strategy on the Urban Environment –SEC(2006)16. Based on extensive consultationwith stakeholders this strategy aimsat improving the quality of the urbanenvironment. It sets out new measures tosupport and facilitate the adoption ofintegrated approaches to the managementof the urban environment by national, regionaland local authorities.
The environmental problems to be tackled inurban areas are: poor air quality, high levelsof congestion, high levels of ambient noise,poor-quality built facilities, derelict land,greenhouse gas emissions, urban sprawl,generation of waste and waste-water. Thisproblems have great impacts on lifestyle andincrease the resource use per capita. The linkbetween these problems is very tiny andcross-sector measures have to be taken.
Proposed initiatives:> Guidance on integrated environmentalmanagement: some voluntary initiatives inthis field already exist (Agenda 21, AalborgCommitments) and it is mandatory for someof the national legislations. Commission willprovide technical guidance in 2006 to drawon experiences and best practices.> Guidance on sustainable urban transportplans: the great impact of transport onurban environment led several MemberStates to take legislative decrees to implementsuch measures at national level. TheCommission strongly recommends localauthorities to develop and implement suchplans but without making them mandatory.The Commission will provide technicalguidance on it in 2006.> Networking, information, capacity building:other proposed initiatives are related to theexchange of best practices by setting upnetworks of cities, national platforms,Internet portal and support to trainingprogrammes in this field.
The Commission, with the help of theEuropean Environment Agency will alsowork to improve data on urban environmentissues in order to monitor properly the effectof this strategy.
europa.eu.int/comm/environment/urban/thematic_strategy.htm � www.eea.eu.int
� EU Commission proposes clarificationof rules on public-private partnershipsThe European Commission published inNovember 2005 a Communication with newpolicy options on Public-Private Partnerships(PPPs) that are agreements-between publicauthorities and businesses, whose aim is tocarry out infrastructure projects or providingservices to the public.The Communication follows a major publicconsultation which was launched by the PPPGreen Paper in April 2004. The Commissionwill clarify how EU rules should apply to thechoice of private partners in “institutionalisedPPPs”, which are public-service undertakingsheld jointly by both a public and a privatepartner. The Commission will also assesswhether to propose a legislative initiativeon concessions, to clarify both the term“concessions“ and the rules applicable totheir award.A key aim of the 2004 consultation was tofind out how the rules and principles workin practice, to see if they were clear enoughand if they suit the challenges and characte-ristics of PPPs. The options were presentedwith a view to ensuring effective competitionfor PPPs without unduly limiting the flexibilityneeded to design innovative and often complexprojects.
Institutionalised PPPsMany respondents to the PPP Green Paperasked how EU rules should apply to thechoice of private partners in “institutionalisedPPPs” (IPPPs), which are public-serviceundertakings held jointly by both a publicand a private partner. Overall, it appears atpresent that an Interpretative Communicationwould be better suited to this demand thanfully-fledged legislation. This InterpretativeCommunication should be published during 2006.
ConcessionsA clear majority of participants in the consul-tation supported an EU initiative, legislativeor non-legislative, on concessions, in orderto clarify both the term ‘concessions’ andthe rules applicable to their award. Havingcarefully considered all arguments and thefactual information provided by stakeholdersit appears that a legislative initiative is atpresent the prefered option.However, the final decision on whether ornot to take such a measure, and on its concreteshape, depends on further in-depth analysis,including an Impact Assessment, which willbe carried out in 2006.
europa.eu.int/comm/internal_market/publicprocurement/ppp_en.htm
� New proposal for Euro 5 standards The EU Commission presented on 22December 2005 a new proposal for Euro 5standards for new passenger cars and lightvehicle emissions, aiming at improving airquality in Europe, especially in urban areas.
Particulate emissions from diesel cars wouldbe slashed by 80% and nitrogen oxides(NOx) by 20%.
The tougher standards proposed would leadto the introduction of particulate filters fordiesel cars.
For petrol cars, the Commission proposes tocut NOx emissions and hydrocarbons by25%.
The proposal has been developed involvingextensive stakeholder consultation and hasalso been subject to an internet consultation.
The proposal will now be considered by theEuropean Parliament and the Council ofMinisters. The new Euro 5 limits will enterinto force by mid 2008 at the earliest.europa.eu.int/comm/enterprise/automo-tive/index_en.htm
� Attitudes towards car use analysed inGreat-BritainIn the framework of studies related to theimpact of transport on climate change, the UKDepartment for Transport published an articledescribing attitudes towards car use in GreatBritain and particularly analysing the linkbetween the following items:
> levels of car ownership and use and thefactors that might impact on car use.> the extent of driving licence holding andreasons why some people do not learnhow to drive.> the importance of transport issues in deciding where to live.> residential parking behaviour and experienceof parking tickets.> perceptions of safety on different forms of transport.
The survey consisted of more than 1,200 face-to-face interviews and led to the followingconclusions:
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� Transport for London will takesresponsibility in first rail way servicesby 2007Transport for London (TfL) is the integratedbody responsible for London’s transportsystem which role is to implement theMayor of London's Transport Strategy andto manage transport services.
TfL is responsible for London's buses, theUnderground, the Docklands Light Railway(DLR), the management of Croydon Tramlinkand London River Services. Besides publictransport services, TfL is also responsible for a580km network of main roads and all ofLondon's 4,600 traffic lights, manages thecentral London Congestion Charging scheme,regulates the city's taxis and private hiretrade, and promotes a range of walking andcycling initiatives.
Despite this wide range of responsibilities,TfL has currently no direct role in the provi-sion of railway services. They representhowever a large part of stages made bypublic transport. To allow better integrationof services and to continue the successfuldecentralisation of responsibilities, theGovernment decided to devolve some railpassenger services from the Department forTransport (DfT) to TfL.
From Autumn 2007, the so-called NorthLondon Railway services will be directlymanaged by TfL. The process to appoint anoperator to run the concession will startimmediately and will conclude on 11November 2007 with the start of the NorthLondon Railway operating concession by thesuccessful bidder. Until then, the serviceswill continue to be run by the currentfranchise operator, Silverlink Metro,managed and funded by the Departmentfor Transport.
Immediate improvements will be made inthe security equipment, in staff reinforcement,extra train services, timetable co-ordinationwith underground services and ticketingintegration within the Oystercard system.
Long term benefits are also expected regardingfleet renewal with higher capacity and moreaccessible carriages, a stations enhancementprogram and higher frequencies in the network.
The Department for Transport also launchedon 9 March a consultation on whether theMayor of London’s rail powers should extendbeyond the Greater London Authorityboundary. As commuter train services donot stop at the administrative limits of thecity, a better coherence of network can bereached by granting cross border competencies.
However, the mobility needs of people livingoutside London have also to be well taken inaccount. To achieve this goal, the stakeholdersneed to identify the appropriate services tobe transferred and to set up of a relevantgovernance structure. The consultation willclose by 31 May 2006.
www.tfl.gov.uk � www.dft.gov.uk
� New responsibilities for StrathclydePassengers Transport (Scotland)
SPT is made up of two linked bodies:
> the Strathclyde Passenger Transport Authority,created under the provisions of the 1968Transport Act. Its responsibility encompass alarger area than any other public body and isthe only one in Scotland. It has 34 membersfrom the area's 12 councils and is responsiblefor defining Strathclyde’s public transport policy.> the Strathclyde Passenger Transport Executive,which advises the Authority and then implementsits policies.
Besides its role in public transport provision,SPT is currently playing a key role in the studiesabout Edinbugh – Glasgow high speed raillink and is involved in the debate aboutGlasgow Airport Rail Link that could enter inservice in 2009.
SPT is also running a three month trial to assessnew wireless technology, funded by the ScottishExecutive, that provides bus timetable informa-
tion at selected bus stops throughoutStrathclyde, with adapted signage for peoplewith visual impairment or learning difficulties.
On April 1st SPT has been turned into a newtransport authority for the West of Scotland -named Strathclyde Partnership for Transport.The acronym remains the same but there willbe differences. The new body takes over themajority of SPT's responsibilities - minus someof the key ones concerning railway which aretransferred to the new Scottish TransportAgency. However, it will be responsible fordrawing up a regional transport strategy forboth highways and public transport.
www.spt.co.uk � www.pteg.net
� Public transport adapts to new airportterminal 4 in MadridThe fourth terminal of Madrid BarajasInternational Airport opened in February.The Consorcio de Transportes de Madriddecided then to provide an improved infor-mation to the travellers by editing an updateddocument describing airport access. Thedocument, available in English and Spanishdescribes the existing and the new transportservices, presents a detailed map of theterminals including information on airlinecompanies and provides information onapplicable fares .
On a longer term, the new terminal will beaccessible in 2007 by the extension of metroline 8, that already connects the otherterminals. The call for bids regarding thebuild-operate concession has been publishedby the Community of Madrid in February.The concession is expected to be awarded inApril. The 2.5 kilometres extension will cost€ 52 million and € 33 million will be investedin new rolling stock.
Terminal 4 consists of a main building and asecondary building with satellites, linked bythe Automatic People Mover (APM) manufac-tured by Bombardier that is the first automatictransport system in Spain, able to carry 6,500people per hour. Investment costs amount to€ 108 million for a 2.7-kilometre infrastructure.
www.ctm-comadrid.es � www.madrid.org
News from the cities
> The most common reasons for not learningto drive were lack of interest in doing so, theavailability of other forms of transport (includingprovision by family or friends) and the costsassociated with driving.> However, the findings indicate that therecent decline in levels of driving licence holdingamong young people reflects a postponementin learning rather than a decision never to learn.> Over half of car driving respondents said theydid not limit how much they travelled by cardue to the price of petrol or the effect car travel
has on the environment.> A half of car drivers never investigated otheroptions when planning a one-off journey beforedeciding whether to travel by car.> Among those who had moved in the last fiveyear, 31% said access to good transport links(public and road) were a very important consi-deration in deciding where to live> Three quarters of respondents thought thecar was the safest form of transport in terms ofcrime victimisation. Walking was most likely to beconsidered the safest mode in terms of accidents.
> Concern about accidents had no impact ontransport choices for two-thirds respondents.Similarly concern about crime victimisation hadno impact for 60% of respondents.> Women were more likely to say concernsimpacted on their travel choices than men,particularly with regard to personal safety.Around three in ten women said they avoidedtravelling at certain times due to personal safetyconcerns.The full survey is available on DfT website.
www.dft.gov.uk
� European Investment Bank supportsmetro projects in Spain
- Barcelona metro
The European Investment Bank is providinga € 650 million loan to IFERCAT (InfraestructurasFerroviaries de Catalunya) for the constructionof Barcelona metro line 9. The new under-ground line extends over 43 km and has 47stations within the metropolitan area.
It is the second loan provided by the EIB tothe centerpiece project of Barcelona’s trans-portation system connecting metro, bus, thesuburban rail, the international airport andthe high-speed rail lines between Spain andFrance. EIB’s significant support to the projecttotals € 1.3 billion on a total estimated costof € 2.25 billion.
Line 9 will cross the metropolitan area in asemi-circle inter-connecting six municipalities.At the northern end it will branch into twolines, providing access to 335 000 additionalinhabitants. At the southern end it will crossthe municipality of L’Hospitalet de Llobregatand branch towards the industrial area ofZona Franca, El Prat del Llobregat (adding325 000 inhabitants) and the international airport.
Line 9 works started in 2003. First servicesare expected to start in 2007/2008 and theline should be in full activity by 2011. The line isexpected to carry 90 million passengers a year.
- Malaga metroThe European Investment Bank is also providing
€ 50 million to Metro de Malaga, a specialentity set up to build the first part of a metronetwork in Malaga, one of the main coastalcities in Southern Spain.
This is the first part of an EIB € 260 millionfinancing scheme. Metro de Malaga won a35-year concession, promoted by theAutonomous Region of Andalusia, to design,build, finance and operate an 11.6 km lightmetro system. The concession comprisestwo lines, depot and maintenance facilities,a number of vehicles and intermodal facilities.The line is expected to open in 2009 and tocarry more than 17 million people during itsfirst year of operations.
Malaga has undergone a major urbantransformation as result of economic anddemographic changes. And the project willbring substantial economic and environ-mental benefits to this rapidly growing city:time gains for users, cost saving for car usersshifted to the metro, cost savings fromreduced bus service operations and reducedtraffic in the city centre. This will helpMalaga to improve its urban economy whilemaintaining its role of a major tourist centre.
www.metrodemalaga.info � www.eib.orgwww.gencat.net
� BAIM Project - Information for peoplewith reduced mobility in GermanyRMV (Rhine Main Transport Association) wantsto upgrade the services for information forpeople with reduced mobility in the field ofpublic transport. It is important to inform thesepeople about the features and possibilities ofthe connections they would like to use sothey can decide for themselves which offersand connections are applicable to them.
A huge part of customers will benefit fromthis innovation. This is not only useful forpeople with reduced mobility, but also fortransport authorities and transportationcompanies to attract new customers. People
with reduced mobility can be disabled persons,but also parents with perambulator, pregnantwomen or weak elderly people. Keeping allthese groups in mind about 25% of theGerman population benefits from theseimprovements. Since there will be a demo-graphic shifting to a higher amount of elderlypeople, the concerned group will becomelarger in future.
To improve information for people with reducedmobility the project BAIM was initiated by theRMV (Rhein- Main- Verkehrsverbund, RhineMain Transport Authority) together with theVBB (Verkehrsverbund Berlin Brandenburg,Berlin-Brandenburg transit authority) andseveral partners.
Information about the accessibility andusability of public transport systems have tocomprise all journey stages, from planningto travelling (including the real situation).This includes static and dynamic information,e. g. target departure times and delays,changing of vehicles and platforms, alwaysunderstandable and up to date. New dynamicinformation concerning transport serviceand infrastructure based on a special datamanagement will be a focal point of theBAIM project. On the basis of already existingroute planning solutions and schedulingsystems via Internet new services e. g. viamobile phone, PDA and conversationalsystems based on natural language techno-logies will have to give special informationfor people with reduced mobility. Firstservices will be based on target schedulingtimes. At a later stage of the project, real-timeinformation will be given. An importantassumption is Automatic Vehicle Monitoring(AVM) which is already introduced inGermany and provides detailed real-timedata of all vehicles. Innovative services willbe tested in the regions Frankfurt RheinMainand Berlin Brandenburg.
www.baim-info.de
� Arriva enters into Swedish railwaymarketArriva has won its first major rail contract inSweden for the operation of the Pågatågregional train service in the Skåne region ofsouthern Sweden during 9 years and 2 moreoptional years. Arriva already operates railservices in Denmark, Germany, the Netherlandsand the UK, and is currently operating busservices in Sweden. The contract has beengranted following a competition withseveral bidders including DSB and SJ, theDanish and Swedish state-owned railways.
Starting on 17 June 2007, Arriva will operate26 Litra X11 trains on a network serving 47stations in southern Sweden. Besides theprovision of rail services, the contract willalso contain provisions related to new trains
purchasing, network size increasing,maintenance and cleaning of the trains,timetable improvements and comprehensivetraining for new drivers and conductors.
www.arriva.co.uk
� RATP experiments front door toprotect metro tracksAs 60% of delays in Paris metro are causedby people on tracks, RATP has initiated a6-month experimentation aiming at protectingtracks from human intrusion. This project hasbeen implemented on line 13 (105 million tripsper year), that faces recurrent problems ofovercrowding and irregularity. The protectionconsists in 1.5 metre-high transparent slidingdoors, provided by three different manufacturers(CNIM, FAIVELEY, KABA) which have been set
in two stations. The size of the doors allows reduced costs compared to full front doorsand should have the same deterrent effect on
travellers’ behaviour. If the system is efficientenough, it will come into general use in 10stations of line 13 and potentially in the wholenetwork.
www.ratp.fr
News from companies
April 2006 - n° 24
April 2006 - n° 24EMTA News is the quaterly letter of information of the association of European Metropolitan Transport Authorities, which brings together the public transport authoritiesresponsible for improving the mobility conditions of more than 85 million people living in the main European cities. Editor: J. Goldberg.
11, avenue de Villars � F-75007 ParisTél. + 33 1 53 59 21 11 - Fax + 33 1 53 59 21 33
www.emta.com � [email protected]
E U R O P E A N M E T R O P O L I T A N T R A N S P O R T A U T H O R I T I E S
On 2 June 2003, the Stockholm City Counciladopted a majority proposal to conductcongestion charges trials. The formaldecision on implementation was madethrough the Riksdag (Swedish Parliament)passing the Congestion Charge Act on 16June 2004. The trials started on 22 August2005 with extended public transport (seeEMTA News 22). The congestion chargeshas started on 3 January 2006. The trialswill be concluded by 31 July 2006 and areferendum on the permanent implementationof congestion charge will be held inconjunction with the general election on 17September 2006.
Besides the achievement of the -10/15% cartraffic reduction objective the trial will beevaluated continuously from a number ofdifferent perspectives:
> Car traffic: traffic flows, occupancy andturnover of parking spaces> Travelling patterns: frequency of originsand destinations, travel time, mode of transport> Impacts on public transport: commercialspeed, delays, patronage, perceived quality> Impacts on pedestrians and cycle> Air quality and emissions> Road safety> Business community and regional economy> Revenues and costs of the scheme> Overall benefits for the community
The introduction of congestion charging ledto short-term impacts on road traffic andpublic transport patronage:
> Immediate impact on traffic crossing thecordon was about –30%. However the traffichas increased again but seems to be stabilisedat a level between 20% and 25% below thereference figure (same week, one year before).
> The variability of travel time for a keyradial crossing has significantly decreased.The travel time in peak hours is only 50% higher than during off-peak hours where this time used to be up to 200% higher before the congestion charging.> The increase in public transport trips is about 8% compared to January 2005, 11% for buses coming from outside thecordon and 16% for commuter trains.The availability of seats seems however toremain unchanged. Th is has to be compared to the 2% increase measured between 2004 and 2005.The increase of petrol prices has also to betaken in account to assess properly theactual impact of the congestion charge .
The complete evaluation will be summarisedin a report in early summer 2006.
www.stockholmsforsoket.se � www.sl.se
Focus
Agenda
� OSCE-UITP workshop on Urban Transport Security 4-5 May 2006Vienna, Austriawww.uitp.com/Events/2006/vienna/en
� METREX Conference : Planification and sustainable development of metropolitan areas 4-6 May 2006Madrid, Spain www.regionescapitales.es
� UITP Workshop on Congestion Charging 11-12 May 2006Stockholm, Swedenwww.uitp.com/Events/2006/stockholm/en
� 10th edition of ECOMM conferenceon Mobility Management10 - 12 May 2006Groningen, The Netherlands www.ecomm2006.nl
� EMTA General Meeting15-16 May 2006Stuttgart, Germany www.emta.com
� Global City Forum17-19 May 2006Lyon, France www.globalcityforum.com
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First results of Stockholm’s congestion charging trial period
