The SUSTANCE Project witnessed a pivotal meeting held in Zagreb on 19-20 September, where project partners convened to assess its progress and chart the course ahead.
Over two intensive days, participants delved into the SUSTANCE methodology for assessing public transport accessibility which is set to undergo testing on peripheral routes and regions across Central Europe - a crucial step toward enhancing public transport's reach and effectiveness.
The meeting served as a platform to synchronise efforts for the six innovative pilot actions foreseen for 2024. These actions will focus on bolstering rail connections at cross-border levels and developing cutting-edge ICT tools to enhance the attractiveness and accessibility of public transport in rural, peripheral, and cross-border regions.
Fostering mobility and connectivity by improving public transport’s offer and services in low populated areas of Central Europe is indeed an ambitious goal, but the progress made during the first implementation period is substantial, and project partners are setting the stage for experimental train services commencing in the spring of 2024.
A notable highlight is the experimental direct passenger train service linking Trieste Villa Opicina to Rijeka, as well as the extension to Sopron of the seasonal cross-border train linking Western Hungary to Austria at Nausiedl am See.
The next project meeting is taking place in Bolzano (Italy) in March 2024.
Join us for the SUSTANCE Transnational Conference on 29 September to hear more about recent developments and accomplishments.
For more info: dileno@cei.int