Main experiences from packages of measures to improve public tranport in rural areas

Since 1996 the Norwegian Ministry of Transport and Communications supported packages of co-ordinated measures to develop public transport. The report summarises short-term effects of three packages of measures in rural areas: - Transport for all in Kongsvinger (Hedmark county), involving rehabilitation of bus fleet and bus stops, development of a bus terminal at Kongsvinger station - New rural public transport solutions (Vest-Agder county), based on dial-a-ride for children/youths and elderly in connection with leisure travel. - Public transport in rural areas (Troms county), with emphasis on user surveys and stated preference analysis to determine whether planned measures meet people's needs. Based on experiences with the packages of measures and documentatoin from other relevant studies the report identifies a set of problems and challenges that are specific to Norwegian rural areas: - Market efficient transport solutions - Cost efficient transport solutions - Dynamic product development - Allocation of responsibilities