Transport and Covid-19: responses and resources

International Experiences on Public Transport Provision in Rural Areas

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Mobility is one of the key elements that supports economic activity and promotes social equity. With decreasing population in rural areas and ageing society it is becoming increasingly difficult, however, to provide access to adequate transport services for citizens in rural areas without significant cost increases.  

This report summarises experiences with public transport service provision in rural areas for the United Kingdom, Norway, France, Japan and Finland. It provides key policy insights for efficient solutions and new ways of organising services. 

The report is part of the International Transport Forum’s Case-Specific Policy Analysis (CSPA) series. These are topical studies on specific transport policy issues of concern to a country carried out by ITF on request.

Policy Insights

  • We are currently seeing a major change in the perception of ‘public transport’.
  • Demand-responsive transport is seen as one of the key options to meet public transport challenges in rural areas.
  • Significant scope still exists for ‘conventional’ public transport.
  • Better coordination between different types of services is required.
  • Relaxing quantitative taxi regulation can enable new innovative solutions. 

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