The EPTA consortium has been specifically built on a variety of categories of partners operating in various geographical contexts with different level of expertise. In such an interregional context the PTA MODEL could become widespread as a result of an integrated approach to improve the transport governance. The consortium brings experience from partners in countries where deregulated, privatized services are commonplace (UK) and more centralized state controlled systems (other EU partners). This will aid the understanding of the issues that are being faced particularly in the current economic climate by authorities throughout Europe.
Across the EU, local authorities are organising themselves to better answer to the new regulatory framework in which to operate public transport. The EPTA project has been designed to study the local institutional context, focusing on Public Transport Authorities or Public Transport executive agencies. The EPTA project will define and analyse institutional settings in which the 7 key functions related to public transport sector governance are deployed: regulation, planning, tendering and contract awarding, integration, promotion, management and control.
During the implementation of the EPTA project, a series of documents will be issued for public use such as brochures, leaflets, studies, etc. These will be avaialable on the official EPTA website (www.eptaproject.eu) as well as in various specialised databases which focus on urban mobility issues.
All partners of the EPTA consortium will have the opportunity to develop a study within the project framework related to the development of their own local/regional Public Transport Agency
The implementation of the EPTA project includes the organisation of various types of events which are dedicated only to the partners or opened for the relevant stakeholders at local/regional level. Such events include workshops, training sessions, promotional events, etc.
A series of training courses will help improve the operational capacity of the partners in relation to implementing local and regional mobility policies aimed at improoving the service and lowering the environmental impact of transport related activites.
The Interregional Cooperation Programme INTERREG IVC is financed by the European Union’s Regional Development Fund and it helps Regions of Europe work together to share experience and good practice in the areas of innovation, the knowledge economy, the environment and risk prevention. EUR 302 million is available for project funding but, more than that, a wealth of knowledge and potential solutions are also on hand for regional policy-makers.