Active2Public Transport Partners Meet in Bratislava and Sopron

On September 9–11, 2025, the 5th Partner Meeting of the Active2Public Transport (A2PT) project took place in Bratislava and Sopron. Supported by the Interreg Danube Region Programme, the three-day event brought together experts from nine partner regions to exchange knowledge, assess progress, and refine strategies for connecting active mobility—walking and cycling—with public transport.

A part of the meeting was dedicated to the first results of A2PT pilot actions. Partners discussed testing schemes, in which participants received public transport tickets and tried e-bikes, cargo bikes, folding bikes, or conventional bikes as first- and last-mile options—leaving their cars at home. Participants also reviewed the bike carriage on buses pilot, visiting the functioning service between Bratislava and Hainburg, which already allows commuters and tourists to travel seamlessly across borders. Other pilots, such as temporary street redesigns, secure bike parking, and improved digital information systems showed how practical measures can change everyday travel patterns.

Another highlight was the collaborative work on the A2PT Online Toolbox. In working groups, experts explored how to translate practical lessons into structured guidance and examples of good practice. The toolbox will become a lasting digital resource, offering municipalities, transport companies, and planners inspiration—from integrated ticketing to accessible cycling infrastructure. Its role is to ensure that lessons learned across the Danube Region remain available beyond the lifetime of the project.

The Bratislava meeting also emphasized the importance of transforming pilot experiences into long-term strategies. Updates from the Olomouc Region and other partners showcased how regional stakeholders are preparing A2PT Action Plans tailored to their specific needs while aligning with broader climate and transport goals. These plans are crucial for anchoring the project’s outcomes institutionally and politically, ensuring that the tested measures lead to lasting improvements in everyday mobility.

The final day in Sopron provided additional insights: the SUSTANCE Fertő train service for bicycle tourism, the Hungarian Blue Trail (Kéktúra) as an example of linking hiking with transport, and a walk showcasing Sopron’s efforts to promote active mobility and leisure activities.

‘Our goal is to find and also test innovative multimodal solutions to better connect active and public transport. In doing so, we want to show decision-makers and other stakeholders that shifting transport towards active and public transport can enable a seamless, efficient and environmentally friendly transport system,’ explained Irene Bittner, Lead Coordinator of Active2Public Transport at the Austrian Energy Agency.

The Bratislava–Sopron meeting confirmed the importance of combining visionary planning with hands-on implementation. By testing concrete measures, building practical toolboxes, and embedding them in regional action plans, A2PT partners are laying the groundwork for more sustainable mobility. In the Danube Region, cars still consume almost twice as much energy per passenger-kilometre as buses and seven times more than trains, while accounting for 90% of passenger transport energy use. Increasing the share of walking, cycling, and public transport is therefore essential— not only to cut emissions, noise, and air pollution, but also to foster healthier and more active lifestyles.

Text: Jitka Vrtalová, Irene Bittner
Cover photo: © Veronika Vozárová