Summary of results from workshops in Klaipeda
Klaipeda 8 th of March, 2018: there were 17 participants at the workshop in Klaipeda and seven people from the organizing team as well as four additional table leaders. Based on that, and the signature issues (Fehler! Verweisquelle konnte nicht gefunden werden.), the organizing team planned to have groups focusing on four perspectives (Resource bases, Technical and business models, Passenger value, and Governance and Spatial planning). Governance and Spatial planning were merged as the results from the previous workshops showed that they were closest related to each other. There were unfortunately not enough participants to have all four groups, so the resource base perspective was instead integrated in the others. To meet the preferences of the local host the target group was slightly changed in the Klaipeda case. Rather than inviting a wide range of stakeholders the focus was on publicly funded organizations (e.g. The Region of Vilnius and Klaipeda, the Municipalities, and the Klaipeda Transport Administration).
Vision: the session in Klaipeda on co-creation of of a regional and cross-border public transport system for 2040 that is well on track towards sustainability can be summarized as: Public transport in the entire region is integrated with all other modes of transport, and you can travel via one card/electronic payment system, maybe even also on a national level. Infrastructure for biking/walking is well developed and connected to public transport. All transport is environmentally friendly, e.g. powered by electricity from sustainable sources, and cars powered by fossil fuels are not allowed in Klaipeda. New transport solutions (e.g. helicopters and drones) are available as well. The region has a Metro system and tunnel to Neringa municipality, and good connections to others via rail, boat or air transport.
Current reality: this is the authors’ abridged summary of the resulting notes from all groups on the current reality in Klaipeda (see appendix 4a for the complete workshop notes record). Public transport in Klaipeda is managed by Klaipeda Public Transport (KKT). Bus operators are contracted by KKT or respective municipality. Tickets can be bought at kiosk, from drivers, KKT Mobility center, and internet. Lack of information for non-residents. Good public transport infrastructure in Klaipeda, but not in surrounding municipalities. Some problems in procurement and development of public transport.
Solutions: this is the authors’ abridged summary of the resulting notes from all groups on key solutions towards the vision in Klaipeda (see appendix 4b for the complete workshop notes record). Phase out fossil fuels and increase the share of vehicles powered by electricity that is produced in a sustainable way. Regional common e-ticket for all Public Transport at a low cost. Improve biking infrastructure and integration with Public Transport. Improve Public Transport regarding speed, infrastructure, priority in traffic, information to as well as security for passengers, onboard communication, reliable timetables, and integration with other transport modes.
Results from visioning processes in Rostock and Guldburgsund: the project partners in Rostock and Guldburgsund did not organize new unique workshops for this project since several similar workshops already were planned in the same time period. Instead, relevant information was gathered from these cities through separate questionnaires provided by the authors of this report (see appendix 5a and 5b for the complete questionnaire responses from Rostock and 6a and 6b for the corresponding responses from Guldburgsund). A general impression is that if we look at countryside areas and cities as two special cases there seems to be quite unanimous picture across these two partner regions of the situation today vs needs for the future. The difficulties of organizing effective public transport in rural areas are brought up and one prominent solution suggested is to move towards demand responsive public transport in such areas.