Passengers as Drivers of Innovation in Public Transport Planning? Conceptual Issue and Experiences

According to economic theory, market forces guarantee efficiency and customer orientation. But in public transport, such a market often does not exist, given that most services are provided under licenses which guarantee the operator an exclusive right to provide the service, thus evidently limiting customer choice. Public transport services are also subject to intense political influences. The paper examines the position of passengers as stakeholders in transport planning and policy. After the introduction, the main elements of the passengers’ interests are presented. The main part discusses the role and scope of citizens’ participation in urban and transport planning. A series of case studies illustrates different, more or less formalised, approaches to participation as well as typical planning issues for public transport development. In the Italian context, the Carta dei Servizi and the activities of consumer associations and civic action committees are the most noteworthy forms of involvement. The examples demonstrate that different methods can be used to permit a greater role of the citizens in planning. An unbalanced approach, one which takes place at the wrong time or is not respected by the other stakeholders, however, is likely to be seen as an obstacle and cause for frustration. Well-designed participation can, on the other hand, lead to better and more accepted planning schemes. To achieve this, it is necessary to choose the necessary methods with caution, considering the topic, environment and the setting of the scheme in the wider planning and decision-making process.