Public transports (even) in rural areas

Transport is one of the biggest issues in stopping climate change and reducing the environmental impact.

In Sweden today, rural areas are exempted in the belief that the number of travelers there is too small for a functioning public transport system.

In the majority of Sweden´s regions, commuting to work and commuting to higher studies are today given the highest priority. So also in Västernorrland.

In the first preparatory project, Ånge municipality has begun to question whether this, in several cases, unchallenged priority for public transport in Sweden should really apply in a geography like Ånge.

Based on the call´s focus on climate neutrality and at the same time social sustainability, the prioritization of work commuting can be questioned.

In order to achieve climate neutrality, as many people as possible need to travel by public transport, and from a social perspective, the trips paid for by society should also primarily be for those who have no other alternative.

What happens if for a moment we let go of the target group that is the hardest to reach and actually create a public transport that is in demand, for those with the greatest need?

The focus of the project is to, in continued close dialogue and co-creation with two groups of travelers – children and young people, as well as the elderly – test a new traffic, which is fully adapted to the needs that emerged during the co-creation process that took place in stage 1 of the project.