Razlog, Bulgaria

October 30th, 2013

EPTA Project Training Course

Razlog, 30 October 2013

Evangelos Genitsaris, TSRG/AUTh, Thessaloniki

Dipl. Eng. (Civil), MSc (Transport)

Experiences of AUTh in the FLIPPER

project and the successful DRT

services provided in Greece

Razlog, Bulgaria

October 30th, 2013

Contents

• Main findings of the questionnaire surveys in

Kastoria and Langadas

• Pilot flexible transport service in Greece: lessons

learnt

• Good examples of DRT services provided currently

in Greece

• General conclusions & considerations

Razlog, Bulgaria

October 30th, 2013

Main findings of the questionnaire surveys in

Kastoria and Langadas

Razlog, Bulgaria

October 30th, 2013

Questionnaire surveys

1. Langadas County: FTS for a Greek rural area of relatively low density

population, poorly served by public transport

2. Kastoria City: DRT service for meeting demands of locals and tourists

Surveys’ main objective:

• The exploration of potential application of a DRT service.

Surveys’ Methodology:

• Stated Preferences Questionnaire Survey among potential users

(sample of 700 people). Personal interviews and distinct sub-groups

(segments).

• Nine SP Scenario exercises were tested with varing values/

characteristics in terms of 4 attributes (a. Transport mode, b. Travel

Time duration, c. Travel cost, d. walk distance to stop)

Razlog, Bulgaria

October 30th, 2013

Overview of the surveys

The Main characteristics of the proposed FTService :

The FTS will serve trips within the selected area

Users will make the booking via telephone call the day before the

trip, while “real time” requests will also be served if they match

existing schedules but with a fare penalty

Passengers will be collected from appropriately predefined

“meeting points”, door to door service only for elderly and

disabled.

The service will be realized initially by accessible minibuses

(combined with the tourist boat service)

The design time response: 15 minutes.

Razlog, Bulgaria

October 30th, 2013

Overview of the survey in Langadas

Thessaloniki

City Centre

4 Municipalities of

Langadas County

- The proposed area

coverage by the new

transport service

THE

SURVEYED

AREA

A rural area, of relatively

low density population

Razlog, Bulgaria

October 30th, 2013

Overview of the survey in Langadas

Main conclusions from the Langadas survey:

• Concerning the evaluation of the level of the existing transport modes,

the residents consider the parameters of time of routes (72,16%) and

the route coverage (57,81%) as the worst ones.

• After the completion of the SP Scenario exercises, the percentage

of people being positive to choose/use FTS in the future instead of

the mode that respondents used in their reference trip, was 53%.

Razlog, Bulgaria

October 30th, 2013

Overview of the survey in Kastoria

Serious demographic problems: Locals tend to

migrate

BUT:

- there is a significant number of undergraduate

students

- there is a significant number of tourists

(Kastoria Lake, Museums, fur stores, over 100

churches, etc.)

PROBLEMS that make conventional services

difficult to manage: Landscape (steep slopes),

Road width (narrow streets)

RESULT: very low efficiency in the Old City and

the Market area, service is only manageable by

mini buses.

Razlog, Bulgaria

October 30th, 2013

Overview of the survey in Kastoria

First reaction in relation to a new FTService

The first reaction of the respondents in terms of a possible usage by

them of a FTService in case that there was such one (total sample)

Residents Tourists

29%

53%

14% 2% 2%

Definitely YES Probably YES

I have no opinion Probably NO

Definitely NO

17%

47% 12%

12% 12%

Definitely YES Probably YES

No opinion Probably NO

Definitely NO

Razlog, Bulgaria

October 30th, 2013

Pilot flexible transport service in Greece:

lessons learnt

Razlog, Bulgaria

October 30th, 2013

• The Kastoria city feasibility study showed that there is a good

potential for applying an FTService.

• Although, the Original surveyed concept was: to create a new

FTService focusing on elderly and tourists, including: a

tourists’ ship and the Municipality’s minibus, this has been

proven not feasible and thus:

• The Cooperation of Taxis of Kastoria has finally organised

and run the pilot application from October 2010 until May

2011 in a satisfactory manner. However, the public’s

response to the new service was not satisfactory.

• Hence, the results from the pilot application contradict

the findings of the feasibility study

Overview of the pilot FTS application

in Kastoria, Greece

Razlog, Bulgaria

October 30th, 2013

Preparatory actions:

meetings, role assignment, promotion

Several preparatory meetings were realised

with the participation of representatives

stakeholdersfor the determination of the

attributes of the pilot and the role of its member

Partners were committed to provide the FTS in

cooperation by signing a “Cooperation

Agreement” (which described the concept and

the scheme of the service and defined the roles

and responsibilities of the partners)

• The Union of taxis also signed a separate Agreement with the Municipality

of Kastoria regarding the fare collection tickets after considering

recommendations by the local Tax Office

• Poster and Logo, Leaflet, Press release, Press conference, Minister’s letter

of support, Inauguration (opening) of the operation of the service

Razlog, Bulgaria

October 30th, 2013

Preparatory actions:

Razlog, Bulgaria

October 30th, 2013

• SCHEME: The FTS “KALOSTOUS” operated on

demand and offered “door-to-door” service.

Similar trip requests in terms of route and time

were combined together.

• VECHICLES: The service was provided by one

type of vehicles, common taxis. The

communication between drivers and TDC was

possible using mobile phones or the private

radio communication network.

• FARES: The service area was divided to 6

zones and one route (7 categories in total).

There was a fixed fare for each route depending

on the departure and the destination zone, that

was ranging among the cost of the conventional

urban bus service and the estimated minimum

cost of taxi service for each route.

The pilot FTService

scheme and characteristics

Razlog, Bulgaria

October 30th, 2013

• BOOKING: Users had to make a booking at least one

day before the day of their trip and confirm the

booking after the finalisation of the route to be

followed. Reservations were possible via telephone

calls. Trip bookings were managed using a common

commercial software for data management.

• TRAVEL DISPATCH CENTRE: Taxi vehicles were

being assigned suitably by TDC to serve users

according to the number of travellers in the each

route. The TDC was operating at the existing facilities

of the telephone call centre of the Union of Taxis.

The pilot FTService scheme

and characteristics

1

2

3

1. Taxi driver displaying the Ticket

2. Telephone Center for bookings

3. Taxi with FLIPPER and KALOSTOUS logo

Razlog, Bulgaria

October 30th, 2013

The pilot FTService: main results from

users’ survey

55.77%

30.77%

7.69% 5.77%

0.00%

20.00%

40.00%

60.00%

Work Education Health Other (leisure,school run etc)

Trip Purpose

7.69% 9.62%

78.85%

3.85% 0.00% 0.00%

0.00%

20.00%

40.00%

60.00%

80.00%

100.00%

Car driver Carpassenger

Use other PTservice

Walk Didn't need tomake the trip

Wasn't able tomake the trip

Travel mode

Razlog, Bulgaria

October 30th, 2013

The pilot FTService: main results from

users’ survey

Razlog, Bulgaria

October 30th, 2013

Possible reasons

for low public response in the pilot 1. During the same period when the pilot application started to run,

KTEAL decided to introduce a new low cost fare for the students

of TEI Kastorias, which were a main target group for new FTService

according to the results of the questionnaire survey.

2. The period during which the pilot application has been running was

outside the tourist season, hence another main target group, the

tourists, were not able to participate

3. Another important reason was economic crisis which had an impact

on the use of the service

4. It should be noted that the initial design of the service, which was

described to the survey participants, differed from the one that

was actually implemented for the pilot application due to the

unavailability of necessary resources

5. There may was a need for a longer duration promotion campaign.

Razlog, Bulgaria

October 30th, 2013

Good examples of DRT services provided

currently in Greece

Razlog, Bulgaria

October 30th, 2013

1. OASTh DRT service • Operator: Established in 2005, Operated by Thessaloniki’s public

transport operator

• Served groups: “Door to door” service, mainly focused on

passengers with mobility impairments or restricted vision

• Area served: Covers the Thessaloniki urban agglomeration

• Operational data: So far the service is used by 319 passengers

with disabilities, 252 of them with severe mobility problems and 29

blind. Up to 1250 passengers with disabilities are served each

month (approx.).

• Staff: 7 drivers are used, while an escort is present at each journey

• Fare cost: The service is free of charge

The vehicles’ exterior

decoration is designed by

the famous Greek artist

Constantin Xenakis

Razlog, Bulgaria

October 30th, 2013

1. OASTh DRT Service

• Vehicles’ fleet: 3 buses are now available with a fourth, smaller

one, as a spare. Each vehicle can carry up to 4 wheelchair users,

as well as escorts. The vehicles are equipped with electric lifts, air-

conditioning, fridge.

• Travel Dispatch Centre: Reservations are made via telephone

call, at least two hours before the journey. The TDC is responsible

for accepting these calls and arranging the journey. Special

software is used by the TDC. Communication with drivers is

achieved using mobiles or private radio communication network

• Service level: An interview survey was conducted (Jan ‘12), with

20 respondents (most of them were wheelchair users). 85% of the

passengers used the service for professional purposes. 90% of the

users considered the service “excellent”, while a further 10%

considered it “good”. Passengers are obviously satisfied with the

service provided.

Razlog, Bulgaria

October 30th, 2013

2. The AINEIAS DRT service

• Operator: Established in 1996 and operated by the Municipality of

Thessaloniki

• Served groups: “Door to door” service, mainly focused on

passengers with mental and mobility disabilities

• Area served: Covers the Municipality of Thessaloniki as well as

some areas of the Thessaloniki’s urban complex

• Operational data: 50 persons per day, annually approximately

8.000-9.000 trips

• Vehicles’ fleet: In total three vehicles are in operation. Each

vehicle can carry up to 3 wheelchair users, as well as seated

passengers. The vehicles are equipped with electric lifts, air-

conditioning

• Staff: 5 drivers and 5 escorts are used. The escorts are responsible

for the safe operation of the lifts and the safety of the passengers.

• Fare cost: Minimum charge

Razlog, Bulgaria

October 30th, 2013

In 2005 TSRG/AUTh through “SUNRISE”

project supported the service’s modernising:

• Equipment: A telematics system was

installed to the three vehicles.

• Travel Dispatch Centre: A new TDC was

created with a high-end server and fleet

management software. TDC is responsible

for accepting reservations that are made via

telephone calls and arranging the journey.

• On-board equipment: high-definition TFT

touch-screen, GPS receiver and transmitter,

Navigation system, Alarm button, GPRS

modem and antenna were installed.

• Training: The personnel, including the

drivers, were trained to get into the DRT

philosophy and meet its needs.

2. The AINEIAS DRT service

Razlog, Bulgaria

October 30th, 2013

3. The KEKPA DRT service

• Operator: Established in 1996 as a students’ transport service.

Operated by the Volos’ Municipal organization for health and social

affairs

• Groups served: Mainly focused on passengers with mobility and

mental disabilities

• Area served: It serves the provincial city of Volos, with 141.675 res.

• Vehicles fleet: 3 vehicles were used, 1 more was added in the frame

of FLIPPER. Two vehicles can carry wheelchair users as well as

seated passengers. A lift is available.

• Staff: 4 drivers and 3 escorts are used in the morning, 1 driver and one

escort in the afternoon

• Service type: The service is DRT and door to door, with 8

predetermined destinations. Special software used.

• Bookings: 1-2 days in advance for the peak hours, otherwise at any

time.

• Fare cost: 5 E/ person/ trip.

Razlog, Bulgaria

October 30th, 2013

3. The KEKPA DRT service

• Within FLIPPER project, the KEKPA service:

– cooperated with the local urban bus service for facilitating

transfers outside Volos

– acquired the “INMOSION” software to plan journeys

– applied a pilot service expanded to new potential users

Volos city

Razlog, Bulgaria

October 30th, 2013

The Flexible Transport Services (FTS/ special

DRT) that are provided officially in Greece

Special DRT

Sevices

Target groups

served

Area

(urban/ rural)

- Population

Veh

Technical

equipment

Flexibility/

Cost Year

1 OASTh

Mobility

disabilities

(wheelchair users

and blind)

Thessaloniki

(urban and

suburban)

1.099.598

4

TDC, radio

communicatio

n system,

telematics

Booking up to 2

hours in

advance,

no charge

2005

2 AINEIAS Mobility and

mental

disabilities

Thessaloniki

(urban

agglomeration)

363.987

3

TDC, vehicles

management

software,

vehicles

equipment

(GPS, GPRS)

Booking 24

hours in

advance,

low cost

1996

3 KEKPA

Mobility and

mental

disabilities

And people with

very reduced

mobility (e.g.

some elderly)

Volos

(provincial city)

141.675 4 -

1-2 days in

advance for

peak hours, any

time for non-

peak hours

5 E/ person/

trip

1996

Razlog, Bulgaria

October 30th, 2013

4. Other “informal” FTServices

The example of “cargo-taxis” in the island

of Kalymnos

• There are 30 motor tricycles, operating

without any formal legal framework or an

“umbrella organisation”

• They transfer mainly light goods and rarely

passengers in the narrow streets of the city,

where the access of taxis is difficult or

infeasible

• The service is cheaper than taxis

• Although informal and pirate service, it is a

socially catalytic one.

• It is considered to be of high acceptance and

importance in terms of social impact,

upgrading the service level to the island.

• It comprises an example of ‘bottom-up’

initiative

Kalymnos Island

Razlog, Bulgaria

October 30th, 2013

General conclusions & considerations

From the examination of the FTS surveys, pilot and DRT services:

• In general, there is absence of legal framework on FTS at most

European countries.

• The development of an FTService in an area where existing

services are inadequate should be encouraged and facilitated

by the legislation which requires special provisions

• There appears to be good potential for FTSservices launch in

areas where there are no cheaper alternatives and in rural

areas, where the existing services for some remote places are

inadequate.

• Concerning special DRTs: although the final goal should be a fully

accessible integrated transport system, special DRT services are

valuable in cases where the trip chains are not fully accessible

Razlog, Bulgaria

October 30th, 2013

General conclusions & considerations

From the examination of the FTS surveys, pilot and DRT services:

• The development of FTS/DRTs in Greece is limited, and

exclusively focused in serving disabled people.

• The pilot FTS (shared taxi scheme) for the general public in

Kastoria didn’t achieve the expected service’s patronage derived

from feasibility study.

• Accessibility for people with restricted mobility to public

transport is essential to ensure the participation of those persons

in social activities. Existing DRTs in Greece are considered by users

very successful and vital for their everyday living.

• The economic situation threatens the existence of the services,

since the cost coverage has not been yet solved.

• The cost of DRT services cannot be fully covered by the users,

The society and stakeholders must be prepared to compensate

costs, in terms of citizens’ equality and social values

Razlog, Bulgaria

October 30th, 2013

Thank you…

Transport Systems Research Group naniopou@civil.auth.gr

FLIPPER Project website www.interreg4cflipper.eu