Improving access and quality of public transport services through partnerships

Access to affordable public transport services is critical for the urban poor as it offers a way out of economic and financial deprivation and social and physical isolation. Urban public transport is a key link to access other services such as health and education facilities and other livelihood assets needed to sustain individual and community development. The paper reports the findings of a major study which was undertaken in Sri Lanka, Pakistan and Tanzania. The primary objective of the study was to produce Guidelines for use by policy makers and urban public transport operators to ensure that the poor can enjoy improved access and quality of public transport in the future. The Guidelines suggest that a better understanding is required of the inter and intra- linkages of public transport and its impact on other services required by the poor to sustain their livelihoods. This can be assisted through relationships being established between several agencies /organizations which can lead to formal and informal partnerships being developed.