2002年-世界发展银行全球_Urban_Transport_in_the_Europe_and_Central_Asia_Region___World_Bank_Experience_and_Strategy_86页_398kb

Summary of Urban Transport in the Europe and Central Asia Region: World Bank Experience and Strategy

Core Content

This document provides a comprehensive retrospective and forward-looking analysis of the World Bank's involvement in urban transport in the Europe and Central Asia (ECA) region, focusing on the experience from 1990 to 2002 and proposing a new strategy for the coming decade. It outlines the Bank's past projects, sector studies, and evolving approach to urban transport, emphasizing the need for a more integrated and sustainable strategy that addresses the complex interplay between economic, social, and environmental factors.

Main Objectives

• To provide a thematic basis for urban transport inputs into country-specific assistance strategies.
• To guide urban transport projects and sector work included in business plans.
• To serve as a bridge between city-specific studies and the Bank-wide urban transport policy.

Key Findings and Trends

Retrospective Overview

• In the early 1990s, the collapse of socialist systems led to a severe recession, which had significant impacts on urban transport.
• Governments reduced financial support for local services, leading to a public transport crisis.
• Public transport operators, who were previously state monopolies, faced financial insolvency due to low fare revenues and high operational costs.
• Informal private operators emerged to fill the gap, while cities like Budapest, Moscow, and Prague managed to sustain services with state help.
• Traffic congestion increased due to rapid motorization, straining existing infrastructure and public transport systems.

Current Conditions in ECA Urban Transport

• Urban populations remain stable in size, with some migration from central areas to suburbs.
• Most cities have populations under 3 million, with low-density downtowns and high-rise residential areas on the fringes.
• Public transport still dominates, but with low efficiency and outdated infrastructure.
• There is a growing segment of private car users, especially in Western ECA cities.
• The region faces challenges in road infrastructure, traffic management, and safety.
• Income inequality and poverty have increased, affecting the affordability and accessibility of public transport.

Proposed Strategy

The strategy is built on five pillars:

1. Policy Priorities

• Urban road pricing and funding: Introduce locally-based congestion pricing and reform national fuel taxation systems.
• Public transport pricing and funding: Implement system-wide economic pricing and service quality parameters.
• Subsidy reform: Shift social assistance from transport pricing to a broader social protection system.
• Market creation: Expand competitive service awards for both roads and public transport.
• Regulatory reform: Establish clear roles and relations between different levels of government.

2. Institution Building Priorities

• Strengthen city-level institutions for transport service delivery and management.
• Develop capacity for traffic/parking management and traffic safety.
• Improve investment planning and social protection aspects of transport systems.

3. Investment Agenda

• Finance rehabilitation and expansion of rail-based systems (e.g., metros, tramways).
• Support the conversion of road space to exclusive public transport use.
• Fund road maintenance and traffic control systems.
• Include investments in "green" initiatives such as engine and vehicle replacement.

4. Knowledge Agenda

• Conduct city-specific transport reviews and participate in broader urban development studies.
• Carry out thematic studies on poverty and transport, social costs of traffic, and urban rail systems.

5. Links and Partnerships

• Collaborate with internal Bank departments (e.g., IFC, TUDTR).
• Partner with external institutions (e.g., EBRD, EIB, OECD, EU).
• Engage with professional and client-based groups (e.g., UITP, City Alliance).

Adaptation to Country and City-Specific Contexts

• The strategy must be adapted to local conditions, including economic transformation, growth rates, and political structures.
• EU candidacy and city size are key criteria for defining site-specific strategies.
• In large EU-candidate cities, the focus will shift towards knowledge-based activities.
• In smaller cities of non-EU-candidate countries, the strategy will emphasize franchise regulation and cost recovery.
• The challenge in non-EU-candidate countries, especially in large cities like Moscow, is managing rapid motorization and ensuring the sustainability of public transport.

Conclusion

The proposed strategy emphasizes the integration of transport with broader urban development, environmental protection, and social equity. It calls for a more holistic and multi-dimensional approach, moving beyond traditional project financing to include policy reform, institutional development, and knowledge sharing. This strategy is expected to enhance the financial sustainability of urban transport systems and improve the quality of services for all citizens, particularly the vulnerable and low-income populations.

Key Points

• The ECA region has experienced a significant public transport crisis due to economic and political changes.
• The World Bank has supported urban transport through projects and sector studies, focusing on cost recovery, efficiency, and regulatory reform.
• The new strategy aims to address the challenges of poverty, environmental sustainability, and increasing motorization.
• A staged approach is recommended for implementing road pricing and public transport reforms.
• The strategy requires strong partnerships and a multi-sectoral approach to be effective.