From Strategy to Action: Ulm Hosts the A2PT and THE PEP Partnership Meeting

The recently concluded partnership meeting for the Active2Public Transport (A2PT) project, held in Ulm, Germany, in collaboration with THE PEP/EHP Partnership on Healthy Active Mobility, proved to be a resounding success. This meeting, spanning November 11–14, 2024, facilitated the exchange of experiences and insights, propelling forward the shared goal of integrating active mobility with public transportation in the Danube region. 

Key Highlights of the Meeting

The event brought together experts, policymakers, and stakeholders from various sectors, creating an ideal platform for addressing one of the region's pressing challenges: the lack of a cohesive system connecting active mobility (walking and cycling) with public transport. Discussions encompassed:

• Analysis and Strategic Planning: Partners evaluated progress in developing the Danube A2PT Action Plan, aiming to provide actionable recommendations for stakeholders.
• Study Visits: Field trips in Ulm and Ravensburg offered firsthand insights into local solutions, such as the remodeling of the forecourt of Ulm Central Station, innovative mobility stations, and the redesign of the city centre in Ravensburg . 
• Good Practices and International Initiatives: Participants shared successful case studies, particularly regarding bike parking, cross-border bike carriage on public transport, and integrated ticketing systems.
• Collaborative Workshops: Focused sessions enabled participants to refine the scope and objectives of future actions, ensuring alignment with the pan-European Master Plan for Cycling Promotion and Master Plan on Walking.

Next Steps

The meeting advanced critical analyses under the A2PT project, particularly concerning the status of existing infrastructure and service evaluations (SO1). The workshops provided significant momentum toward developing a comprehensive toolbox for enhancing active and public mobility integration (SO2). Participants also explored pilot actions for innovative solutions such as bike carriage systems, ticketing models, and street transformations (SO3).

Gratitude to the Hosts

Acknowledgment is extended to the German Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport and the Danube Office Ulm/Neu-Ulm for their exceptional role in hosting the Meeting of the PEP Partnership . We moreover thank the Danube Office Ulm/Neu-Ulm for hosting the third partner meeting of the A2PT-project. Their hospitality, coupled with meticulous organizational efforts, created a conducive environment for dialogue and innovation.