Project overview
Sustainable public transport solutions and innovative governance schemes for improving connectivity in Central Europe
Leaving the car at home remains challenging for people in sparsely populated areas close to borders. Too often, there are simply no satisfying public transport offers available. The SUSTANCE project involves a wide range of transport stakeholders to co-design innovative mobility services and governance schemes that will help public authorities to change this. In this process, the partners deploy amongst others customised intervention action plans in pilot regions.
2,01m €
Project Budget
80%
of the Budget is funded by ERDF
4
7
8
6
Duration
Start date
End date
Project progress
About the project
Project partnership
Project partners
Lead partner
Central European Initiative - Executive Secretariat
Project Management Office
Project partner
Institute for Regional Development
Roadmap
Challenge
People in sparsely populated areas use their cars too often, because there are not enough public transport solutions that suit their needs.
Problem
Cars are polluting our environment and are not contributing to a greener future, like public transport.
Idea
What if we developed services and tools that would make trips with public transport easier?
Solution
We will introduce new cross-border rail services and IT tools to facilitate the travel with public transport.
How
Firstly, we will talk to relevant stakeholders to get their inputs and involve them in our activities. We are also studying the regions where the services and tools are to be implemented, to better understand the context and real needs. Finally, we will implement services and tools, involving more than 50 stakeholders in their development.
Proof
In the 12 months of operation, our goal is to increase the number of people using public transport.
Impact
Our mission is contributing to a greener Europe and improving quality of people’s lives.
Follow our work
Join us in connecting Europe and preserving environment for future generations!
News
P3 Connected
NEWS
25.04.2024
First direct train from Trieste arrived to Rijeka
“With the support of stakeholders, we aim to encourage sustainable mobility in the region and improve cross-border cooperation. We are aware that it is often challenging, but today we have proven that with a strong commitment and a culture of dialogue, we can lay the foundation for the development ...
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NEWS
13.04.2024
Cross-border train around Lake Neusiedl running until August
For those planning to visit Lake Neusiedl this summer, an UNESCO World Heritage Site, we recommend the train connecting Hungary and Austria. You can bring your bicycle on the train and explore natural beauties on two wheels. Bring your family and friends and join us on the SUSTANCE train!
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NEWS
25.03.2024
The status of public transport accessibility and measures to improve it
One very expert document was drafted – "Accessibility assessment of public transport", previously assessing routes and regions where we’ll introduce new or improved public transport solutions. This document will help to fine tune these solutions.
P3 Connected
NEWS
15.03.2024
Numerous institutions joined us in fine tuning of our activities
Since we’re testing mobility solutions that will be used by people, we had to ask them for their opinion. Therefore, we first gathered more than 60 experts from over 35 relevant institutions and talked about our activities.
P3 Connected
NEWS
08.02.2024
External experts increase the quality of solutions
Three external transport experts were brought on board to ensure the quality of 6 project pilot actions. Their expertise is crucial for peer-review process and will bring a fresh perspective, with concrete suggestions tested and proven in practice.
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NEWS
06.11.2023
Searching for transport experts
One of SUSTANCE partners, ITL, will recruit two transport experts to contribute to 6 project pilot actions peer-review activities, as to assure their quality. If interested, please check the link in the article or spread the word among DRT/train service innovation experts.
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NEWS
25.10.2023
The historical significance of our Italy-Slovenia-Croatia railway service pilot
On 23 and 24 October 2023, SUSTANCE project and the international railway service to be piloted in 2024 from Villa Opicina, through Slovenia, to Rijeka, was presented in Rijeka (Croatia), at an event dedicated to the 150th anniversary of Rijeka-Karlovac and Rijeka-Pivka railways construction.
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NEWS
02.10.2023
Dialogue on improving public transport for rural and cross-border communities
On 29 September 2023 the Transnational Online Conference “Challenges and opportunities for public transport stakeholders in rural, peripheral and cross-border areas” took place as a significant step toward enhancing sustainable public transport mobility in rural, peripheral, and cross-border areas.
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NEWS
24.09.2023
Developing pilot plans in Zagreb
Passenger railway services, new ones and improved ones, go cross-border. Applications aim to facilitate public transport usage. Shared mobility systems are incorporated into public transport network. Green transport solutions are promoted. Joint cooperation takes these services and solutions across borders.
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NEWS
11.07.2023
Foreign Ministers meeting features SUSTANCE topic
On 10 July 2023, in Ancona (IT), a Trilateral Meeting on Cooperation in the Northern Adriatic took place, with the participation of Foreign Ministers of Italy, Croatia, and Slovenia. The meeting resulted with the signature of Joint Declaration where SUSTANCE is mentioned.
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NEWS
27.06.2023
Rehabilitation of passenger train services on Trieste – Rijeka line
Analysing the potential transport demand for planning a direct train service linking Trieste Centrale (IT) to Rijeka (HR) was the focus of the gathering held at the CEI-Executive Secretariat (CEI-ES) premises on 26 June 2023, gathering transport researchers, planners and operators.
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NEWS
27.06.2023
Potential transport demand estimation for Trieste-Rijeka direct passenger train
Ca' Foscari University, Department of Management, conducted a study focusing on the potential transport demand for a direct passenger train service between the Italian city of Trieste and the Croatian city of Rijeka. It resulted with some interesting numbers regarding the number of passengers and possible profit.
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NEWS
04.06.2023
SUSTANCE becomes Danube Strategy Flagship project
SUSTANCE was recognized as a quality project, contributing to the implementation of the Danube Strategy. It is considered to have a strong impact in improving transport in the Region and a macro-regional dimension, thus it was awarded a Certificate of Danube Strategy Flagship.
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NEWS
07.04.2023
In Trieste we start working on public transport improvements
Partnership aiming to improve public transport in rural, peripheral and cross-border areas of Central Europe kick-starts in Trieste. The support is given by Mr. Roberto Antonione, Secretary General of the Central European Initiative - Executive Secretariat (CEI-ES).
Events
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EVENT
Italy
24.04.2024
Launching new international rail service between Italy and Croatia, via Slovenia
Following a fruitful cooperation between railway operators and institutions from Italy, Slovenia and Croatia, a new experimental direct passenger train service between Trieste (Villa Opicina) and Rijeka via Divača and Pivka is presented.
P3 Connected
EVENT
Croatia
24.04.2024
Presenting green mobility promotion tool for Croatia, Italy and Slovenia
Dedicated part of the Croatian Railways Passenger Transport website will be presented in Rijeka, back-to-back with a new experimental direct passenger train service between Trieste (Villa Opicina) and Rijeka via Divača and Pivka.
P3 Connected
EVENT
Hungary
13.04.2024
Launching the rail service around Lake Neusiedl
Train travel around the eastern side of Lake Neusiedl will be simpler, more comfortable, and cheaper. The new train service goes into operation on 13 April 2024, with an official opening ceremony in Sopron.
P3 Connected
EVENT
Other
29.09.2023
Transnational online conference about public transport
Conference “Challenges and opportunities for public transport stakeholders” will take place on 29 September 2023 at 9:30 CET on Zoom and it will concentrate on rural, peripheral and cross-border areas, having connectivity issues. A high level guest will address the audience, as well as policy makers from four countries.
Pilot actions
Outputs
Transnational action plan for better cross-border public transport connectivity
Transnational action plan for better ICT solutions for public transport
New/improved cross-border public transport rail services and innovative ICT tools for improving passenger mobility
Long-term sustainability guidelines for better connectivity & smart mobility solutions
Long-term strategy for promoting cooperation and better governance of public transport
Project documents
SUSTANCE
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