Wednesday, February 13, 2008 - 08:00h
Passenger Transport Plan 2008-2012
Public transport
The Plan envisages investment of a total of 840 million euros to improve public transport by road
The Department of Regional Policy and Public Works has presented the Passenger Transport Plan for Catalonia (PTVC) 2008-2012 which lays down guidelines for the improvement of public inter-city passenger transport services by road and by rail.
The Passenger Transport Plan for Catalonia 2008-2012 envisages an increase in road transport links. Bus services are to be increased by 30%. 19 new direct links between major towns and cities in Catalonia will be created, and there will be an increase in the service provided by 9 which already exist. To develop inter-county communications 8 new limited-stop lines will be introduced and 21 existing services will be strengthened.
As well as public transport by road, rail transport is also to be improved, with the introduction of 5 new regional high speed services. Tarragona, Girona and Lleida will have new local services and the Barcelona local service network will be restructured. In all cases service intervals will be reduced and passenger carrying capacity increased.
In the case of the Generalitat of Catalonia Railways (FGC), the Plan envisages a reduction in service intervals and further development of the Baix Llobregat metro service and the Bages and Anoia regional metro lines. A new passenger service will also be promoted between Manresa, Súria and Sallent, on lines previously used only for freight.
Other major objectives include:
- Achieve a unified fare structure for the whole of Catalonia by 2012.
- Improve facilities for mixed mode travel, coordinating different means of transport, to reduce delays when changing.
- Construct 9 inter-city bus lanes and new bus stations, to encourage the use of public transport.
- Increase the use of public transport from 28% of all journeys at present to 31%, and contribute to improvements in road safety and environmental quality.
- The Plan envisages investment of 840 million euros for improvements to public transport by road over the period 2008-2012.
