PROVIDING THE FINAL MILE CONNECTION – A BUSINESS OR A SOCIAL DECISION? Trevor Garrod, President, European Passengers’ Federation

WHAT IS THE EUROPEAN PASSENGERS’ FEDERATION AND WHY DID WE FORM IT? To give a voice to public transport users in Europe, especially when they make international journeys. To learn from each other and spread good practice Formed in 2002, now consists of 34 member associations in 20 countries

EPF’S REPORT IN 2013 – THE FINAL MILE AND THE MILE IN BETWEEN Rail must be easy to use, especially for longer journeys. Door-to-door mobility means easy access to and from stations, easy information and ticketing so that the journey is as seamless as possible. Can such a strategy be both commercially successful and socially inclusive?

WHAT IS THE BUSINESS CASE? If the customer has to spend time booking local transport or driving to get to and from the main station, the end-to-end journey time may no longer be attractive. Nowadays people are used to “one-stop-shops” - travel, car hire, insurance, accomodation all in one. But an operator may need persuading that it is worthwhile to negotiate or invest in add-ons or better access

WHAT IS THE SOCIAL CASE? Public transport needs to be inclusive. It’s not just about business but also about serving everyone. That means affordable, accessible trains, user-friendly stations. It means easy information and ticketing on train, website, at station or interchange. Note EU accessibility legislation!

IF WE ACCEPT THESE BUSINESS AND SOCIAL GOALS – HOW DO WE ACHIEVE THEM? Stations need to be hubs. Beware “les gares des betteraves” - new or relocated stations in inaccessible places , such as beetroot fields! Car and cycle parking; but also easy access to local trains, public transport, taxis, demand responsive transport The ability to hire a bicycle or book a taxi when you book the journey, or are on the train.

EASY TICKETING The ideal is one end-to-end multimodal ticket If a journeyplanner can work out your end-to-end journey, that is one step towards an end-to-end ticket. All stakeholders in your journey chain need to work together to achieve that – and share the income. They must see that is is worthwhile for them. It is said that only 6% of public transport journeys are international – but is there suppressed demand?

EASY ADD-ONS For a decade, Plus Bus in the UK has enabled passengers to pay for public transport when buying a rail ticket to their destination town or city In Germany, Austria and Switzerland the City Ticket plays a similar role In other countries, the idea is barely known. Eurostar sells a ticket to “Any Belgian station”

EASY PAYMENT If an end-to-end ticket is not possible – for whatever reason – is it easy to pay for the final mile? Contactless payment on London Underground and suburban trains. Buy Paris metro ticket in the bar-buffet of Eurostar or Thalys and sometimes other urban transport tickets as well. Card or stored value ticket, ideally for all city or local public transport (Oyster card; OV Chipcard; Rejsekortet)

TOO MANY DIFFERENT CARDS? – make them multi-purpose! Your city or local transport card could also be a bank or credit card Operators need to co-operate - and so do banks, shops, restaurants etc It is helpful to have recognisable branding

BUSINESS AND SOCIAL NEEDS ARE NOT INCOMPATIBLE But keep a sense of proportion - and do not put all eggs in one basket There is a role for cash and for card Customers still value choice and personal advice Thank you for your attention! www.epf.eu