Creating a metropolitan public transport authority

Topic outline

• General
  • News forum
  • Notice Page

    This course, Creating a metropolitan public transport authority, was originally offered as a 4-week moderated course in spring 2014 as part of the EU TIDE project. While we can no longer provide expert moderation, we are happy to make the course material open for you to learn from.  If you have any questions about this course or about the TIDE project, please contact icre@polisnetwork.eu
    
• Unit 1: Introduction

  Unit 1: Introduction

  Increasing suburbanisation has created a need for neighbouring authorities to collaborate in providing public transport by forming metropolitan public transport authorities. This course will address the potential scope of MPTA activities, including alternative  approaches and voluntary vs. obligatory PTAs. It will provide examples of successful MPTAs and address potential legal barriers and political obstacles.

  • Welcome Book

    Introduction to the TIDE project and to this course on metropolitan public transport authorities
  • About this course Book

    What you'll learn and how to take the best advantage of the course
  • Unit 1: your task Page
• Unit 2: Background and context

  Unit 2: Background and context

  This unit talks about some of the reasons why it may become necessary to re-think the organisation of the public transport in your city, as well as some of the challenges that are associated with doing so. It also describes several success stories.

  • Suburbanisation and urban sprawl Book

    These are two key drivers for the need for a new way to organise public transport.
  • Success stories Book

    Several places have successfully implemented new systems to organise their public transport services.
  • Unit 2: your tasks Page
• Unit 3: Roles of an MPTA

  Unit 3: Roles of an MPTA

  This unit explains the scope of MPTA activity and alternative approaches to creating a well-functioning MPTA.

  • Scope of an MPTA Book

    MPTAs come in various forms, with a wider or narrower scope with regard to urban mobility. Typical tasks are listed, and the case example of London is presented.
  • Alternative approaches Book

    Two case examples in Poland are examined for their distinct approaches.
  • Unit 3: your task Page
• Unit 4: Legal background

  Unit 4: Legal background

  Public transport authorities operate within different legal contexts. The legal back-story of your local PTA can fundamentally impact the way you go about creating an MPTA.

  • Voluntary vs. obligatory PTAs (German, French, Swedish approach) Book

    Three approaches which are carried out in distinct national legal contexts are examined.
  • Unit 4: your task Page
• Unit 5: Different legal forms of a MPTA

  Unit 5: Different legal forms of a MPTA

  Successful MPTAs are owned and operated under a variety of legal statuses and configurations. This unit takes a look 'behind the scenes' to explain the various legal forms of MPTAs.

  • Private law MPTAs Book

    This book provides an introduction to private law MPTAs, as well as this legal form's pros and cons.
  • Public law MPTAs, & MPTA ownership structure Book

    This book provides an introduction to public law MPTAs, as well as this legal form's pros and cons. The book concludes with an overview of an MPTA's ownership structure.
  • Unit 5: your task Page
• Unit 6: Financing MPTAs

  Unit 6: Financing MPTAs

  This unit explains financing and revenue allocation schemes, and offers insights into lessons learned from a case in the Poland.

  • Upstream vs. downstream financing Book

    This chapter explains the difference between these two forms of financing, and examines a valuable lesson learned in the Upper Silesia region of Poland.
  • Revenue allocation Book

    This book explains the three main methods for allocating revenue from the MPTA to each of the partners.
  • Unit 6: your task Page
• Unit 7: Decision making schemes and public participation

  Unit 7: Decision making schemes and public participation

  Strategic and operational decision-making in a MPTA should always be carried out with the ultimate goal of delivering quality service to the public. As such, MPTAs need to take steps to ensure an efficient and well-informed decision-making process. This unit explains why and how this should be achieved.

  • Separating the strategic and operational levels Book

    While well-functioning MPTAs should be based in a cooperative relationship between politicians and managers, it should also allow them to operate independently at different levels.
  • Making well-informed decisions Book

    Well-informed decisions are based on objective information gathered from marketing research, operational data, and the set-up of passenger councils.
  • Unit 7: your task Page
• Unit 8: Conclusion

  Unit 8: Conclusion

  What have you learned and what else can you learn from the TIDE project?

  • Reviewing Book

    Review of the key messages and resources of this course
  • Other resources Book

    A few more resources that may be useful
  • TIDE e-learning course evaluation Feedback

    Congratulations! You have completed the TIDE e-learning course on creating a metropolitan public transport authority. Please take a few minutes to let us know about your experience with the course. Your feedback is greatly appreciated, and will be used to improve future e-learning courses.
• Unit 9: Summary and conclusions

  Unit 9: Summary and conclusions

  Wrapping up