Policy Review

An examination of recent policy and regulatory initiatives

• National Rail Safety Regulation in Australia: Effective January 1, 2013

  October 1, 2012
  In January 2013, Australia will, for the first time, have a National Rail Safety Regulator (NRSR) with responsibility for regulatory oversight across the country.

• US MAP-21: Provisions of the new surface transportation bill

  September 1, 2012
  The US surface transportation bill, ‘Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP-21)', provides long-term government policy, programmatic framework.....

• US announces MAP-21: Provisions of the new surface transportation bill

  August 1, 2012
  On July 6, 2012, the US President signed the long-pending surface transportation bill, named ‘Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP-21)'.

• Canada's Transit Policy Framework: CUTA promotes national strategy

  July 1, 2012
  Over the years, Canada's federal, provincial and municipal governments have significantly increased capital funding to expand and renew transit systems....

• Sub-Saharan Africa Transport Policy: Gaining relevance

  June 1, 2012
  The Sub-Saharan Africa Transport Policy (SSATP) is an international partnership of 36 Sub-Saharan African (SSA) countries, eight Regional Economic Communities (RECs)....

• PROTRAM and UTTP, Mexico: Financing and implementation

  May 1, 2012
  According to the World Bank's March 2012 implementation status and results (ISR) report, the UTTP project in Mexico is making satisfactory progress.

• PROTRAM and UTTP, Mexico: Policies in response to climate change

  April 1, 2012
  The Mexican government's 2007-12 National Development Plan (Plan Nacional de Desarrollo) has two programmes to improve the performance of urban transportation in the country...

• Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA): Upcoming implementation deadlines

  March 1, 2012
  In February 2012, the European Parliament (EP) adopted the 'Regulation establishing technical and business requirements for credit transfers and direct debits in euro and amending Regulation (EC) No 924/2009' (the SEPA Regulation).

• Urban Transport in China: Policy initiatives and reforms

  February 1, 2012
  Today, China may lag behind many developed countries in urban public transport systems; however, the initiatives undertaken by the government and other public authorities...

• Urban Transport in China: Current status and policy requirements

  January 1, 2012
  The urban transportation system in China is facing increasing pressure due to the rapid pace of urbanisation and motorisation. The rate of urbanisation in China has increased to 47 per cent in 2010, against 26 per cent in 1990, and is expected to reach 57 per cent by 2020.

• Sub Saharan Africa Transport Policy: Strategies to foster development

  December 1, 2011
  The Sub Saharan Africa Transport Policy (SSATP), initiated in 1987, is an international partnership of 36 Sub Saharan Africa (SSA) countries, eight....

• Passenger rights in bus transport: Empowering the EU bus passenger

  November 1, 2011
  In February 2011, the European Parliament and Council of the European Union (EU) passed a regulation establishing rules for the rights of passengers when travelling...

• US surface transportation bill extension: Necessary but not sufficient [free access]

  October 1, 2011
  On September 15, 2011, the United States Senate approved a temporary extension for the surface transportation and federal aviation programmes. The “Surface and Air Transportation...

• JNNURM for urban bus transport: Indian government's flagship programme

  September 1, 2011
  The Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) is a major initiative by the Government of India (GoI) to stimulate much-needed investment...

• Transit fare policy: Needed more today than ever

  August 1, 2011
  Income from fares is an important revenue stream for transit service providers. However, fares paid by travellers typically contribute only a portion of the funds required...

• Single European Transport Area by 2050: Vision for an EU-wide competitive system

  July 1, 2011
  European transport is at a crossroads, whereby new challenges have surfaced while the old ones continue to remain unresolved. The European Commission...

• Green Index Asia: Comparing transport policy development and execution

  June 1, 2011
  According to the United Nations Population Division, the share of Asia's population living in urban areas has grown from 32 per cent in 1990 to 42 per cent in 2010.

• Public transport in Saudi Arabia: Embracing comprehensive mobility [free access]

  May 1, 2011
  Increasing concerns over economic, demographic, land-use, environmental and safety issues have drawn the attention of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to the need...

• SIBRT, Latin America: Benchmarking performance of mass-transit systems

  April 1, 2011
  The recently formed Latin American Association for Bus Rapid Transit and Integrated Transport Systems (SIBRT) is the latest move towards sharing, consolidating and...

• Reforming rail franchising in the UK: An initiative in encouraging private investment

  March 1, 2011
  In January 2011, the UK government came out with a major policy document - Reforming Rail Franchising: Government Response to Consultation & Policy Statement.