In The Netherlands multi-modal passenger transport covers a relatively small part of the market but it may well come to fulfil an important role in the matter of improving urban accessibility. The market for multi-modal passenger transport offers advantages over car transport. This applies equally to road routes with heavy traffic flows and relatively large changes of congestion and to the providing of adequate connecting facilities. With the longer distances, also where connecting transport is less vital, multi-modal passenger transport can also be capable of competing with the uni-modal alternative. This demands an attractive and qualitatively competitive (and sometimes high quality) competitive range of transport options both regarding the separate public transport modes and the transport system as a whole in which the car is not be viewed as a competitor but instead as a part of the multi-modal chain. This article argues in favour of a broad definition and a demand-oriented approach to multi-modal passenger transport. In this respect multi-modal passenger transport should be regarded as an organisational issue where something may not only be expected of the `mode-specific' service providers such as public transport companies but also of `mobility providers': companies in search of the transport mode solutions that best suit their customer's wishes. The core of this solution lies in the bringing together of modes. In this respect co-operating and doing is more important than money. What is clear is that multi-modal passenger transport demands the support both of centralised and decentralised authorities and of the market parties. Precisely how these roles are to be fulfilled will be discussed in the article. (Author/publisher)
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