EUKN - European Urban Knowledge Network - Public transport borders between the Netherlands and Flanders

Public transport borders between the Netherlands and Flanders

Introduction

Valgaeren’s research report focuses on the borders between the Netherlands and Flanders with respect to public transport.

Proposition

Do the national borders in the Central-Benelux Region have any effect on the quality of public transport services (viewed from the passengers’ perspective), despite European regional policy?

Description

In the practical research, the provision of public transport in the Central-Benelux Region was investigated, in particular to see whether there was any difference between inland and border-crossing connections. In response to the results, conclusions can be drawn with regard to any problems, after which policy-makers can - if necessary - improve this type of public service. This study shall endeavour to inform you about a concrete and topical subject, namely the practical problems of a public transport consumer in a border area (the European Region of Central-Benelux).

Conclusions

Part I:

The formulation of the concept of a border combines two realities: the border as a demarcation line and the border as a crossing zone.
Four purposes have been determined for borders: the defensive, legal, fiscal and monitoring ones.
Border regions have played a limited role in the past, but borders could restrict integration within Europe.

Part II:

Improvement of the quality of the public transport, improvement of the accessibility and manageability of information on public transport and stimulation of cross-border mobility will increase cohesion within Europe.
Public transport still encounters serious hindrance from the presence of the old borders within Europe.
The European Union and the business sector must take more initiative.
Public transport companies must focus people who cannot quite be considered passengers.

Contact info

University of Tilburg
S. Valgaeren

Publication date

01/09/2004

Researcher

Stijn Valgaeren

Links

Tilburg University

Borders on the Road, Roads across the Border. Title and content page (PDF, Dutch, 141KB)

Borders on the Road, Roads across the Border. Chapter 1 (PDF, Dutch, 140KB)

Borders on the Road, Roads across the Border. Chapter 2 (PDF, Dutch, 246KB)

Borders on the Road, Roads across the Border. Chapter 3 (PDF, Dutch, 56KB)