Investment, integration and innovation are three keywords that look set to shape the future of urban public transport, as authorities and operators face up to the challenges of climate change, reinforced by a recent spate of extreme temperatures and wild fires across many regions.
Decarbonisation requires a modal shift from private cars to more sustainable transport modes, which can also bring benefits in facilitating the reshaping of travel patterns and the greening of city centres. In the urban context, metros and light rail offer the speed and capacity required to support the densification of housing and reduce the land take of sprawling suburbs.
In the Autumn 2022 issue of Metro Report International magazine we look at a variety of case studies, from rapidly expanding cities such as Cairo and Kanpur to Milwaukee’s nascent streetcar operation. Meanwhile, our spotlight feature considers Stockholm’s experience with outsourcing operations to a multiple operators within the framework of an integrated and expanding network.
In cities large and small, the coronavirus pandemic has disrupted established travel patterns, with working from home having a particular impact on traditional commuting peaks. Uncertainty over future travel demand calls for greater flexibility in refining and adapting the transport offer, focusing innovation and investment on both capacity and useability.
More capacity will be required to support the volumes generated by successful modal shift. However, that shift will only come if a sceptical audience can be convinced that public transport can match the convenience of cars for door-to-door travel. It is no coincidence that our ‘Technology’ section has a strong focus on Mobility as a Service; authorities, operators and suppliers are working together to integrate proven digital functionality, bringing together multi-modal ticketing, journey planning and real-time information systems to make public transport easier to use.
In the Autumn issue:
Spotlight
Stockholm outsources public transport operations
City Reports
Kanpur - Priority section of first metro line completed in record time
Cairo - Egyptian capital’s expanding rail networks
Belgium - Developments in Brussels, Vlaanderen and Wallonie
Milwaukee - Making the case for streetcars
Bucuresti - Metro extension contracts awarded
Technology
Mobility as a Service - moving to the next level of integration
Smart Mobility - Genova trials multi-modal app
Fare collection - Pandemic accelerates move to contactless travel
Preview
Exploring the digital future at Smart Transit West and Smart Metro