A Review Of An Optimal Public Transport Service Network In The Randstad Area: Is The Randstad Area In Control?

Abstract

The general belief in the Netherlands is that the public transport in the western urbanized part of the Netherlands (the Randstad area) with the main cities of Amsterdam, Rotterdam, The Hague and Utrecht can perform (much) better. The central research question of the article is: How does the optimal public transport service network in the Randstad area look like and how can actors use their responsibilities to contribute? The answer to the first part of the research question is ‘we don not know yet’. There is no clear picture of current infrastructure networks in the Randstad area and of the desired or actual quality levels of public transport in the area. The most important issues that are under control of the respective actors and can be improved in the short term are: coherence in spatial planning and investments in public transport infrastructure, public transport service coherence in the Randstad area, the quality of public transport services, and concessions. The most important issues that are not under control of the respective actors are: reliable relationships with private businesses in combined developments of public transport infrastructure and offices, and the national public rail transport services. The involved actors might focus on the respective issues they are able to (partly) control and see what their contribution could be for a PTSN for the Randstad area. For the longer term, an integrated picture of the current and 2050 public transport infrastructure network for the Randstad area, an integrated picture of the current and 2050 public transport services for the Randstad area and clarity about the degree of control of the different involved public actors and the role of the public transport authorities is needed. Overall, change the focus from problems to control issues and then start working on solutions for the short and longer term.