Market-oriented statistics for public transport. Proposal for scheduled public transport statistics, including buses, boats, trams, metros and trains

This report presents a proposal for a system for new, market-oriented statistics for scheduled public transport by bus, boat (except for Hurtigruta and ferries), trams, the undergroud and railways in Norway. It is proposed that these statistics should be established from 2004, supplemented with annual historic figures from 1990. In accordance with the Ministry of Transport and Communications’ requirements, the statistics will cover a number of key factors which describe provision, demand, operating costs and productivity, together with external framework conditions. It is proposed that the statistics should be on three levels; urban-regional, county council and national level. It is proposed that the most central key figures should be published monthly, while the total statistics should be published annually. It is vital that the same information is obtained everywhere, no matter where the transport activity takes place. The legislative authorities (the Ministry of Tranport and Communications and the county councils) play a central role in achieving this. Currently, policy in this area varies enormously. It is proposed that the new public transport statistics should be based on the Internet, both for collecting baseline data and disseminating the completed statistics.