As cities in Asia and the Pacific continue to expand, the demand for transport services to accommodate commuters is increasingly challenging. Integration of public transport systems has emerged as a solution to help navigate the complexities of urban mobility.
The main goal of public transport integration is to make it convenient for commuters to move from one mode of transport to another, and ultimately, to promote a shift from private vehicles to public transit. Various emerging trends offer insights into how governments can further promote the integration of public transport systems.
Urban development and transport planning
Strategic transport planning that considers urban land use in the design of transport networks is essential for sustainable urban environments. Particularly, transit-oriented development (TOD) is a way of designing urban areas to be centered around public transport corridors. In addition, by capturing the increased land-value resulting from public transit infrastructure developments, cities can invest further in public transit, foster interconnected infrastructure and promote fairness.
For example, Singapore's commitment to efficient, convenient, well-connected and fast public transport network is evident in its Land Transport Master Plan 2040 and innovative approach on rapid transit planning which allocates corridors for longer length trips and has bus services integrated alongside these corridors to maximize accessibility.
Effective transportation operations and leveraging interchanges
Operation strategy planning in transport helps to develop systems that ensure the most efficient and effective movement. Achieving this requires dynamically allocating resources to adapt to constantly evolving demands.
In the operations of transport systems, interchanges or terminals serve as crucial connectors that facilitate transfers between transit modes. By promoting development around these hubs, cities can maximize benefits and further ensure efficiency and urban sustainability. KL Central Interchange in Kuala Lumpur is an example of how an interchange can support the integration of various transport modes and facilitate easy transfer among different modes, whilst also providing a public space and services for commuters.
