One Brand, One Budget, One Goal Keeps Utrecht Accessible
Three infrastructural authorities, several public transport operators and the Utrecht Trade & Industry are cooperating closely in Utrecht. They formulated a cohesive and integrated strategy on mobility communications and infrastructure. Measures include one centralised and consistent source of communication to citizens about traffic delays, road constructions and mobility measures. Another measure is the Public Transport Pass for employees with access to regional public transport, public bicycles (for business and private use), some rail routes and to Park & Ride. Evaluation also forms an integral part of Accessible Utrecht, e.g. through survey among citizens.
Joined-Up Thinking on Mobility Information, Infrastructure and Budget forms the basis of Accessible Utrecht. Three infrastructural authorities, several public transport operators and the Utrecht Trade & Industry have come together to formulate a cohesive and integrated strategy on mobility communications and infrastructure. The Accessible Utrecht memorandum signed by the members outlines a defined set of monetary and work obligations including implementation, evaluation and mutual communication.Measures include one centralised and consistent source of communication to citizens about traffic delays, road constructions and mobility measures. Another measure is the Public Transport Pass(s) for employees - the Utrecht Accessible Pass - with access to regional public transport, to public bicycles (for business and private use), to some rail routes and to Park & Ride. As evaluation forms an integral part of Accessible Utrecht, a recent survey was carried out to test whether or not initiative is proving useful to citizens as to look at ways of improving it. Recent surveys among card holders show the following results. Public Transport Pass Over 20,000 passes sold400 employers in Utrecht area80 % of pass holders use the PT pass40 % former car users25 % former bicycle users35 % former public transport users3,200 fewer cars during rush hoursOn the question \what will you do when the Utrecht Accessible Pass will end\, 17% stated they would return to use their cars again. Communication Channels(Mobile) website: 170.000 visitors a yearNews alerts: 25.000 subscribers Among the subscribers are 400 companies who forward the alerts to their PersonnelRadio commercials with music logos Weekly advertsTwitter accountWeb video journalCentralised System of Communication on Traffic Delays: 71% has heard about the Utrecht Centralised System75% recognition of Detour signs 47% recognition of Electronic signs above the highways 30% recognition of weekly adverts in the local newspapers on road worksThe satisfaction level is 6 out of 10 on communication about the road works 25% say they understand the information and they get enough information. Moving forward, the Utrecht Accessible Team is now looking at building on the service by integrating future information channels. Plans are underway for mobile real-time applications allowing immediate alerts as well as improving in-car navigation systems which take into account road construction works.
Author: R.Martijnse
