BKSZ Budapest Transport Association targets the suburban area of
Budapest, similar to transport systems in place for many years in
Western European regions and urban areas. Their goal is to provide
viable solutions to public transport and a reduction of the well-known
unfavourable effects of motorisation.
In order to reduce (or rather to grade) financial strain of the
programme, a time schedule has been established defining several stages
in the creation of Budapest's integrated public transport system:
– On 1st September 2005, combined
transport passes were launched. As the first step of implementing the
Budapest Transport Association, holders of a combined
pass are entitled to board all commuter trains and coaches within
Budapest city limits, in addition to the BKV services. Hungarian State
Railways (MÁV) and regional bus carriers (Volán companies) joined forces
with BKV Budapest Transport in issuing these new combined transport
titles.
– Implementation of a unified tariff system extending to all carriers by
means of an electronic ticket validating system (to be introduced by
2010).
– Realisation of the fully-fledged public transport system (after 2010).
The first stage, launching the combined
passes, was realised at comparatively low cost. It is apt to convince
both political leadership and the general public of the opportunities of
integrated transport systems and of the priority of environmentally
friendly means of transportation. A target population of nearly 3.3
million residents of the agglomeration means that many commuters to the
centre of Budapest are able to pick the best connections available
without having to purchase various tickets and passes.
Some significant administrative steps that were required at this initial
stage:
– Gradual harmonisation of the tariff structure of railway and
interurban bus services.
– Harmonisation of local and interurban discounts for commuters and
frequent users.
– Establish BKSZ Budapest Transport Association as a clearing
organisation, owned by the Ministry of Economics and Transport and
Budapest City Council.
– By way of joint
financing tools underwritten by the Ministry and City Council ensure
carriers are compensated for any losses incurred due to the new tariff
system.
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