Fields of Action for Integrated Active and Public Transport
The most important A2PT Fields of Action highlight key areas, priorities, challenges, and opportunities. Collecting and categorizing these topics ensures clarity and easier access for the Toolbox users. However, the topics are naturally overlapping between each other but adding them to the toolbox makes the knowledge practical, structured, and ready to use, supporting collaboration and guiding future planning and decision-making.
The 10 most important fields of action discovered by our experts
The topics presented in this toolbox were defined by the Active2Public Transport partnership during a series of structured, practice-oriented workshops. Our consortium brings together transport planners, public transport operators, mobility agencies, ministries, research institutions, and civil society organisations from nine countries of the Danube region. All partners are directly engaged in improving the connection between walking, cycling and public transport in their cities or regions.
There are many possible ways to organise such a broad and interdisciplinary topic. Based on our collective expertise, we deliberately structured the toolbox into 10 Fields of Action. The proposed structure is the result of an intensive discussion among the partners of the Active2Public Transport project and reflects their approach of supporting other stakeholders interested in improving the connection of active and public transport modes in their cities, regions and countries.
Given the interconnected nature of mobility systems, certain overlaps between Fields of Action are both natural and necessary. Rather than viewing this as a limitation, we consider it a strength integrated mobility requires integrated thinking. Where relevant, we provide cross-references to related Fields of Action to help users explore complementary perspectives and deepen their understanding of specific topics.
Providing clear information, maps, online route planning, booking system, and mobile apps makes it easier for users to combine active and public transport. These tools improve journey planning, reduce uncertainty, support multi-modal trips, and encourage sustainable, convenient, and user-friendly mobility.
Providing fair and attractive pricing is essential to make sustainable mobility more appealing. Integrated ticketing, flexible fare systems, and supportive funding schemes help travellers combine public transport with cycling or walking easily, affordably, and with greater convenience.
Providing suitable vehicles is key to connecting active and public transport modes. Buses, trams, trains or even ferries designed with space for bikes and easy boarding for pedestrians help travellers combine cycling and walking with public transport, creating multimodal trips seamless, sustainable, and inclusive mobility networks.
Providing sufficient and safe bike parking and sharing options at public transport hubs creates seamless connections to and from public transport. It encourages sustainable mobility, reduces car use, and makes daily commuting more convenient, efficient, and environmentally friendly.
Campaigns and other promotion activities encourage people to combine active and public transport by highlighting safe and attractive routes, convenient services, and clear benefits for cyclists and pedestrians. Better awareness increases the chances that people take up and regular use A2PT services and infrastructure.
Effective cooperation between active mobility and public transport stakeholders is essential to create integrated, user-centred transport systems. Bringing together cycling, walking, public authorities, employers, and transport providers fosters shared understanding, coordinated action, and stronger impact, enabling infrastructure improvements and making active and public transport natural choices for daily mobility.
Providing accessible public transport hubs is one of the keys to better linking active and public transport. Well-designed, inclusive hubs make it easier for all user groups to switch between walking, cycling, and transit.
Efficient integration of active and public transport relies on accurate data to understand travel patterns and to optimize the connections between the different modes, ensuring that infrastructure, services, and funding strategies are targeted effectively, improving user experience, increasing ridership, and supporting long-term financial and environmental sustainability.
Providing services at stations and on board—such as secure bike parking, rental options, luggage storage, and clear information—supports active mobility by making first- and last-mile connections easier, safer, and more convenient, encouraging more people to combine walking, or cycling with public transport.
Providing an inviting catchment area around public transport stations is crucial because it encourages people to combine public transport with active modes like walking and cycling. Well-designed, safe, and accessible surroundings make it easier and more attractive for commuters to reach stations without relying on cars, increasing public transport usage, reducing congestion, and promoting healthier, more sustainable travel habits.
The project Active2Public Transport is supported by the Interreg Danube Region Programme project co-funded by the European Union. The project was initiated by the Austrian Federal Ministry of Innovation, Mobility and Infrastructure (BMIMI), Department II/6 in cooperation with klimaaktiv mobil – the Austrian Federal climate protection initiative on sustainable mobility.