Study on providing public transport in cross-border regions – mapping of existing services and legal obstacles

Abstract

This case study report presents the business model for the cross-border rail service between Berlin (Germany) and Kostrzyn nad Odrą1 (Poland). This report is part of a series of 31 case studies developed in the framework of the study ‘Providing public transport in cross-border regions – Mapping of existing services and legal obstacles’. Spatial Foresight in cooperation with TCP international, TRT trasporti e territorio and EureConsult completed this study for the European Commission’s DG REGIO. The case studies highlight a variety of business models for cross-border public transport services. This includes governance arrangements and operational provisions to develop the service and address demand in border regions. These aspects will be introduced in section 2, as well as the territorial scope of the service. Section 3 presents key obstacles related to the business model as well as solutions. Section 4 is about lessons learnt from this case. This case study presents the rail connection between Berlin (Germany) and Kostrzyn (Poland). It is an important German-Polish cross-border service which connects the metropolitan region around Berlin and the Polish network. This report emphasises different national legal and administrative frameworks and language barriers as key challenges when developing and implementing cross-border public transport services. This case study is based on publicly available reports and websites as well as interviews with experts from the regional transport association for Berlin-Brandenburg, Verkehrsverbund Berlin-Brandenburg (VBB) and Lubuskie Voivodship