Establishing a Mobility Forum

Summary

Krakow’s strong political commitment to improving public participation in transport planning was underlined by the creation of the city’s Mobility Forum, facilitation communication among stakeholders on transportation issues.

Implementing sustainable mobility

Under the leadership of the mayor of Krakow, stakeholders in the transport planning process, including municipality departments, public transport companies, associations of public transport passengers and cyclists, district councillors, and shopkeepers associations, met to discuss solutions to specific transport problems. The Mobility Forum meets regularly, and the outcomes of discussions are made available to the public.

Progress

In 2007, two meetings of the Mobility Forum were organised: one to discuss the Charter for Public Transport Passengers’ Rights; and the second to discuss the city’s logistics system. At this latter meeting, specialists from other Polish cities were invited to discuss the problem of goods distribution in the city centre.

In 2008, eight meetings were held, covering issues such as the cycle path network, telebus services, the reorganisation of night bus services in the city, and cooperation with local businesses on mobility plans and mobility education for employees.

Outcomes

Suggestions voiced during the Mobility Forum discussion on night bus lines in Krakow were put into effect by local public transport operators.

Barriers that emerged with respect to the organisation of the Mobility Forum were the insufficient number of meetings and insufficient interest on the part of the media. Nevertheless, the Mobility Forum was warmly welcomed by citizens and meetings continue to be organised mainly by the Polish Association of Engineers and Transportation Technicians.