The latest milestone of our OPTI-UP project has been achieved: the comprehensive strategy for building sustainable and efficient public transport networks in Central Europe is now complete. This strategy offers a clear, practical, and flexible methodology designed to assist small and medium-sized cities in improving their public transport systems through evidence-based planning, stronger policy integration, and structured stakeholder engagement.
Many smaller cities struggle with tight budgets, fragmented data, and insufficient planning capacity. The OPTI-UP strategy addresses these needs by providing a step-by-step workflow.
Developed in collaboration with six pilot cities, the methodology is rooted in real-world experience and shaped by consultations, study trips, internal surveys, and iterative feedback. It includes tools and templates for SWOT analysis, best practice evaluation, goal setting, measure definition, modeling, and assessment, making it a highly practical resource for cities at various levels of readiness.
Key Features of the Strategy:
- Practical, modular planning methodology
- Tools for integrating public transport and land-use planning
- Guidance for four-step modeling and LUTI (Land Use and Transport Integration) modeling
- Templates for KPIs, action plans, surveys, and best practice documentation
- Alignment with EU mobility goals and national policy frameworks
- Stakeholder engagement methods that build ownership and improve decision-making
By providing a structured and transparent planning approach, the strategy helps cities improve service quality, reduce emissions, strengthen public acceptance, and attract investment for future mobility projects.
Who is this document for?
The document is particularly relevant for:
- Municipal decision-makers
- Public transport authorities and operators
- Urban planners and technical experts
- Regional development agencies
- Researchers, consultants, and mobility professionals
Through this comprehensive strategy, OPTI-UP supports cities in building more resilient, user-centric, and environmentally sustainable public transport systems. These efforts contribute to overarching European goals, including climate neutrality, digital transformation, and the creation of more livable urban environments.
Download the full deliverable from this link.
Download Policy brief from this link.
The OPTI-UP project is co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund and Hungary within the Interreg Central Europe Programme
