IDEAS REFLECTED IN THE FUTURE PUBLIC TRANSPORT ASSOCIATION IN THE AREA OF BUDAPEST

Abstract

Western countries with high motorisation realised years ago the fact that the excessive increase in the rate of motorisation would have to be restricted especially in densely populated urban areas. There have been enormous efforts to promote the public way of transport, which, however, can only be maintained with a highly professional structure and a management coupled with adequate financial provisions from the state. In the ex-socialist countries including Hungary, a great deal of change has been observed in the modal split towards the share of private cars. The increased use of private cars is threatening the dominance of the heritage of the past system, the rather low profile in terms of service standards but quite reliable in terms of timetable density and relatively cheap public transport. Following the examples of the West in this regard without paying attention to adjusting the specific characteristics in solutions of the problem can only bring about committing similar mistakes and thus paying an enormous price.