Public transport – Societal benefits from increased, targeted investment in public transport

Public transport's revenues lag behind the pre-COVID-19 trend trajectory. At the same time, operating costs and input factors are increasing. Investment in public transport in urban areas is necessary to meet the zero-growth target for private cars and to trigger socio-economic gains, distributional gains, and climate benefits. However, large and necessary investments in public transport lack a clear 'owner' in the National Transport Plan (NTP) process, in that the incentives favour traditional infrastructure focus. The short-term potential for societal gains revolves around improved service frequency, travel time and better utilisation of existing capacity. In the longer term, major investments in infrastructure are necessary. Facilitating express coaches in the form of physical access to city centres and priority measures or general reimbursement of social discounts would benefit passengers who have few other options. A public transport ‘champion’ in the NTP context would be better able to promote necessary public transport investments.