Transport-related problems of Bratislava city and its suburbanregion

Daniel Michniak

doi:10.7163/przg.2020.2.3

Abstract

Increased daily mobility between Bratislava and its hinterland combines with mobility within the city to put demands on the transport system. The massive increase in road transport, connected inter alia with the rapid development of suburbanisation based mainly on individual automobile transport, has caused many problems. This paper introduces some of those problems as manifested in Bratislava and its hinterland – from a geographical perspective – and outlines the way in which an unfavourable situation can be improved. The future of transport in Bratislava and its hinterland requires the creation of a multimodal transport system, which can effectively serve various transport requirements and ensure the mobility of inhabitants.

Highlights

The decrease in public transport and massive increase in individual automobile transport after 1989 in Slovakia (Horňák and Pšenka, 2013; Michniak, 2018) and other post-communist countries (Howkins, 2005; Pucher and Buehler, 2005) caused many problems, e.g. with insufficient transport infrastructure, traffic congestion, unregulated parking in cities and towns, missing integration of public transport, etc
Commutes to Bratislava from places located in Austria and Hungary are based mainly on individual transport, given that there are certain legal limitations where the development of cross-border public transport is concerned
The needs in terms of sufficient-capacity transport infrastructure are often not taken into account as new suburbs are constructed

Summary

Introduction

The decrease in public transport and massive increase in individual automobile transport after 1989 in Slovakia (Horňák and Pšenka, 2013; Michniak, 2018) and other post-communist countries (Howkins, 2005; Pucher and Buehler, 2005) caused many problems, e.g. with insufficient transport infrastructure, traffic congestion, unregulated parking in cities and towns, missing integration of public transport, etc. The dominant position of Bratislava in the settlement structure of Slovak towns and cities confirms direct public-transport connections with other regional and district centres in Slovakia (Székely, 2004; Michniak and Székely, 2019). Bratislava is very well connected with many cities in Europe, via direct public-transport connections (Michniak, 2008; Horňák and Bačík, 2013). The final part outlines ways in which transport-related problems may be solved, and an unfavourable situation in transport improved

Problems associated with transport infrastructure

Problems associated with individual automobile transport

Problems associated with public transport

Findings

Conclusions