[temp] Sustainable Urban Mobility Plan for Budapest

Monday, October 27, 2014

Sustainable Urban Mobility Plan for Budapest

In 2010 General Assembly of the Municipality of Budapest made a decision to introduce a new management and organizational structure for transport. Main factors leading to establishing of BKK were the following: complicated structure (unchanged since 1968), unclear competences, bureaucracy, lack of control, non-sustainable development projects, delays and cost overruns, lack of stakeholders cooperation, lack of long term strategies for transport development as well as decreasing level of services due to underinvestment.

BKK was established with wide scope of tasks covering the different transport sectors (public transport, road and bridge maintenance, taxis, parking, cycling and walking). Within this governance model, BKK is located between the local government and transport operators with Public Service Contract structure. All strategic, development, management, ordering and control functions are being integrated into the organization, ensuring balanced and diversified financing in line with the set priorities.

Current modal split (as for 2014) for Budapest is presented on Figure below.

Public transport is still dominating mode but growing pressure of individual motorization is a challenge for more rational modal split for Budapest.

Ambitious goal is to reach 50% share of public transport by 2030 with multiplied share of cycling (from current 2% to 10%).

Creating BKK as a new stakeholder for transport market in Budapest Metropolitan Area enabled to start preparatory phase for strategic planning. BKK acts like municipal transport competence center.

Preparation of Budapest Mobility Plan bases on following rules:

  • It is overall sustainable urban mobility plan for Budapest;
  • method and objectives are in line with EU guides;
  • Integrated objectives of the plan are in relation to Budapest development concept;
  • New, high quality strategic planning practice in Budapest;
  • Conformity with the projects should be provided.

Vision proposed in the Plan is „Budapest is a liveable and attractive capital city with unique character and is an esteemed member of the European urban network and intends to be innovative economic and cultural centreof the country and of the city region.”

The main goal of transport development is that “The transport system has to improve the economy competitiveness, ensure the welfare, liveability of the Budapest region, promote of its and the sustainability conditions”.

The Plan also defines four transport development objectives for the period 2014-2030, which are the followings:

  • Development of integrated infrastructure;
  • Comfortable and environmental friendly vehicles;
  • Better services (efficient, reliable traffic coordination);
  • Integrated governance which means consequent regulation and regional cooperation;

Until SUMP is approved, main strategic document on transport is  “Transport Development Plan for Budapest” (Budapesti Közlekedési Rendszer Fejlesztési Terve) initially elaborated in 2001 and upgraded in 2007. Actually it is being updated to adjust to new situation and challenges in the future. The Transport Development Plan for Budapest is mainly used as strategic document for applying EU funds.

There is a plan to adapt SUMP methodology for local circumstances. That will be ready in 2015. It is going to be accepted as decree of the General Assembly of the Municipality. It will be an Urban Mobility Plan with SUMP methodology.