ORGANISATION OF PUBLIC TRANSPORT IN METROPOLITAN AREAS

Abstract

The article discusses the problem of organisation of public transport in metropolitan areas as a task of self-government units. The comparative analysis of the manners of organising and integrating public transport in selected metropolitan areas in Poland shows weaknesses and strengths of these applied manners, especially organizational solutions used in the analyzed examples concerning unified tariffs and coordination of various means of transport. The Polish law provides for three types of models for public transport organisation – metropolitan unions, communal unions and communal agreements. At this moment no metropolitan unions have been established so there are no practical experiences in this matter. Two existing conurbations (Silesia Metropolitan Area and Gdańsk Metropolitan Area) organise public transport on the basis of a communal union, whereas in other Polish metropolitan cities (i.e. Warsaw) the instrument of communal agreements is being used. On the other hand the example of London shows that also other legal entities (regional authorities) may be responsible for organising public transport. The size of a metropolitan area and the applied legal model should not influence the functioning of public transport. Nevertheless, the organizational solutions used in the presented transport systems show that the legal framework can make a difference. This article can contribute to an in-depth study on the organization of public transport in metropolitan areas which could lead to the use of good practices in various cities and changes in the Polish law.