This article highlights the importance of perseverance. The paper starts with a review of the failures of the past 10 years. The earlier plan depended on heavy investment in rail (metro lines, renovation of suburban rail) which did not materialize. On nearly every front traffic reform did not have the clout or support to turn plans into reality. Among other things a strong urban expansion beyond the points well served by public transport contributed to the wrong climate for implementing the traffic measures. All this led to a reformulation of traffic policy in 1993 to develop a more effective approach. Instead of the metro lines now 52 kilometres of fast tram running in a separate lane are scheduled. That can be realized much sooner and is more cost effective. An overhaul is planned of the limited access system for the historic centre to make it more effective and reduce the number of access permissions from 100.000 to 40.000. Perseverance is about realistic planning, implementation and enforcement. (A)
Abstract