Federal government takes positive stock of the transport hub program
Published: Friday, Aug 16th 2024, 09:20
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On Friday in Bern Wankdorf, Federal Councillor Albert Rösti gave a positive assessment of the conclusion of the transport hubs program. The interaction between different modes of transport is very important for the resilience of the Swiss mobility system. Transport hubs have an important function in this regard, according to the report published on Friday by the Federal Office for Spatial Development.
Transport hubs link the various transport networks and create optimal opportunities to switch quickly and conveniently between private and public transport, the report continued. In this way, they better connect urban and rural areas. While public transport is often the best choice in cities, cars are often the preferred means of transportation in rural areas.
Over the past three years, the Federal Office for Spatial Development (ARE), together with partners at all levels of government, has carried out various studies and projects on the impact of transport hubs and supporting measures.
Accompanying measures are important
According to the ARE's findings, transport hubs are also formative in terms of urban development and contribute to inward settlement development. Their potential can be increased with accompanying measures in the settlement and transport sector. Attractive public space design, shopping facilities and services are therefore crucial, especially at larger hubs.
It is crucial to develop the right type of transportation hub for each location and to plan and implement the appropriate measures. The latter include, for example, parking management or attractive pedestrian and bicycle connections.
At a large-scale level, it is important to coordinate the transport networks and connect them with each other via hubs. For example, the number of parking spaces at hubs should be coordinated with road capacities. Timetables for various public transport services should ensure connections. In addition to bike+ride services, cycle paths and connections to the neighborhoods should also be designed safely and attractively.
On a small-scale level, the design, function and integration into the surrounding area would be the main focus. In suitable locations, transportation hubs would help to develop and densify a settlement. However, it is important that the new facilities complement and do not jeopardize existing regional and city centers, the report continued.
Meanwhile, simple orientation, short distances and well-coordinated timetables are key for all hubs, the ARE continued. Digital services are also important in order to simplify travel using different modes of transport. The federal government would like to simplify access to the necessary mobility data (geodata, operating data, fare data) by amending the law.
Anchoring hubs in planning
The transport hubs program was launched in September 2021 by the federal government, cantons, cities and municipalities. The various levels of government wanted to use the program to coordinate settlement and transport development in a more targeted manner.
According to the report published on Friday, the aim of the Federal Council is to anchor the transport hubs in the current planning instruments of the federal government, cantons and municipalities. These include the cantonal structure plans as well as the overall transport concepts for the agglomeration programs.
Transport hubs should therefore be a piece of the puzzle for improving the climate. Cooperation between the different levels of government should also be continued. Data and infrastructure for future mobility in Switzerland are also needed to promote the use of such hubs.
The federal government wants to continue to co-finance transport hubs - via existing national funding instruments such as the agglomeration transport program - and examine how such hubs can also be promoted in rural areas.
©Keystone/SDA
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