PRIORITY DEVELOPMENT OF PUBLIC TRANSPORT IS VITAL TO THE REVIVAL AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT OF CITIES

Abstract

This paper substantiates the necessity for ensuring conditions for the priority development of public transport as a guarantee of urban renewal and sustainable development. The problems that hinder residents from choosing mass transit as their  preferred mode of travel are its unpredictability, lack of adherence to or absence of timetables, lack of electronic timetables at public transport stops, stops during air raid alerts, etc. Ways to improve the development of public transport include: designation of special lanes on streets; development and clear planning of route networks; improvement of infrastructure, installation of electronic timetables at stops; regularity of transport services; improvement of vehicle comfort (increasing thecapacity of transport units, inclusiveness, climate control); introduction of benefits and additional incentives for various population groups; implementation of convenient ways to pay for the ride. Special attention is paid to the designation of a dedicated lane for fixed-route transport as an effective measure to increase efficiency.The implications of prioritizing the development of public transport for improving the city’s livelihood are analyzed, in  particular, this will increase the throughput of the transport system; make the city’s transport system more inclusive and accessible for a broad spectrum of the population; decrease road congestion, increase streets’ capacity and vehicle movement speed; avoid the need to construct complex, expensive grade-separated road transport structures by reducing traffic intensity; solve the problem with parking, in particular, on the streets; free up large areas occupied by car parks and replace them by public spaces, adapt areas for the needs of different groups of the city’s population, make cities more attractive; improve theenvironment in the city: reduce air pollution, noise, vibrations from vehicles and even reduce the temperature in the city; encourage citizens to choose public passenger transport for general use over minibuses and private cars – thanks to improved travel comfort; if it is allowed to use bus lanes for electric vehicles, it can contribute to healthier environment.