14/11/2011
More than 150 delegates from across the Atlantic Area and beyond participated in this event that tackled the key issue How to make sustainable transport easy to use by all?
During the event, the START partners presented the common answer developed within the project: the Integra Concept. The Integra Concept is based on facilitating public transport use for Transnational Travellers by providing them with useful information on public transport options available and how to use them when travelling in an unknown region / city. The Integra tool box includes the Integra Portal (for travellers to prepare their journey), and information on site at travellers’ arrival in transport hubs. On Friday 28 October, the forum was concluded with the signing of the INTEGRA Charter by Merseytravel (Transport Authority for Merseyside from the United-Kingdom), the Municipality of Lisbon (Portugal) and the Urban Community of La Rochelle (France). The Municipality of Burgos (Spain) stated their intention to sign this commitment in the near future. The INTEGRA Charter is a letter of intent stating the desire of the subscribing organisations to work together in the development of the INTEGRA Concept and brand across the Atlantic Area regions and beyond. The final session ended by stating the travelling difficulties which still remain around the European area as well as a political statement given by Ana Gomes MEP.
Next steps toward extending Integra in the Atlantic Area
Patrick Anvroin, Director for Transport at the Conference of Peripheral Maritime Regions (CPMR) praised the work done by the Integra partners so far and invited them to join the CPMR on 28th & 29th November in Lisbon for the presentation of the Communication of the Commission on the Atlantic Strategy. The Integra partners will now build upon these encouraging signs to work closely with local authorities networks in Europe to foster the development of Integra in the Atlantic Area and beyond. The Integra Concept is a key output from the Transnational Cooperation Programme for the Atlantic Area and is considered a successful illustration of what can be brought by Transnational Cooperation at a European level.
Find out more about the Transnational Forum