The Role of Public Transport in Society—A Case Study of General Policy Documents in Sweden

Abstract

Abstract:The aim of this paper is to study how local governments in Sweden view the role of public transport in society, and to investigate how public transport is used in a strategic capacity. By studying general policy documents, the ambition is to gain a wider understanding of the role of public transport based on the societal context it is situated in. Documents from 15 regions and 27 municipalities have been analysed by a qualitative content analysis. Results show that public transport is regarded as an important factor towards achieving other goals and other public values, particularly those related to economic and environmental issues; and that the social dimension is not as prioritised. Rail-bound public transport is often advocated, as are collaboration between organizations and integrated land-use and transport planning. However, the studied documents showed large overall differences in how counties and municipalities address public transport issues. It should be a priority in Sweden's main steering documents to treat public transport consistently and give it the same priority as other societal functions-not least because Sweden's treatment of public transport is a reasonable reflection of its overall society and can influence prioritisations and considerations in counties and municipalities across the country.

Evaluation of public transport: regional policies and planning practices in Sweden

“…For example, emphasising the city centres as human areas for circulation of modes of transport other than the car. These findings are also in line with the policy analyses conducted by Stjernborg and Mattisson (2016).…”

“…The first two are sprung out of the research project (at The Swedish Knowledge Centre for Public Transport) in which this study belongs. The project intended to examine the relation between existing evaluation and planning methods and goals associated with public transport (see Stjernborg and Mattisson (2016) for public transport goals and strategies at local and regional level). The third theme is more loosely connected to the research project but is central to the integration of planning (Hrelja, Pettersson, & Westerdahl, 2016), and we include it in order to understand the complexity of planning (Banister, 2005(Banister, , 2008).…”

“…Swedish cities generally have a vision of a sustainable city with a sustainable transport system as the long-term target. Often, the long-term local and regional policy goals are expressed as environmental and social visions such as 'sustainable cities' and 'liveable cities' (Stjernborg & Mattisson, 2016). These goals seem to frame more specific objectives of public transport, as they relate to the mandatory regional transport supply plan that the PTAs regularly develop.…”

Obduracy and Change in Urban Transport—Understanding Competition Between Sustainable Fuels in Swedish Municipalities

“…In conjunction with these policy aims, the number of projects testing electrified public transport bus lines in Swedish cities has grown rapidly, adding to a longer historical trend of electricity use in public transport through trams, trolley buses, and commuter trains. Many Swedish municipalities and regions have increased emphasis on the role that public transportation plays in creating a desirable place to live, prioritizing public transportation in city planning [6]. It is this particular electrification trend that I will focus on in this paper, with an emphasis on how this causes tensions in the existing public transport sector where the vast majority of bus kilometers are already driven by biofuels [7].…”

Analyzing the Impact of Different Transport Governance Strategies on Climate Change

“…Transportation and being mobile plays a vital role in everyday life [1,2]. Efficient human and goods movement is an essential part of any productive economy and is vital for social cohesion, welfare creation, and improved health and well-being [3][4][5]. Investment or political intervention in the transport system thus supports or addresses other broader objectives, such as climate change or congestion [3].…”