estonia-2030_en

spare time spent and major transport hubs (train and bus stops and others). Networks for light trafficthat are used actively need to be usable year-round.In the context of the linkage of various transport modes, there emerges the important issue of thedevelopment of secure parking facilities on a sufficient scale at major public transport stops (railwaystations and major bus stops). This would allow bicycle and passenger-car vehicles to be betteraligned with public transport facilities.4.2.3. Provision of mobility facilities for low-density settlementIn an area with low-density settlement, choosing appropriate transport solutions is very important. Ifpossible, preference should be given to the combined use of passenger and public vehicles.Inevitably, private transport (including travel by automobile) will remain the main transport mode forlow-density settlement also in the future, which will impose requirements of its own on the quality oflocal road networks, traffic safety and organisation. The EU climate and energy policies may necessitatechanges for the taxation of transport (polluter/user pays principle). In this event, mobility-relatedcosts must remain affordable in rural areas, where public transport is insufficient and the utilisationof a passenger vehicle is indispensable.At the same, time the quality of public transport may also be improved in sparsely populated areas.Depending on demand, efficiency can be increased, too: by using the appropriate type of bus (replacinglarge buses with smaller ones on routes with few passengers) or adjusting the service schedule,applying alternative solutions (altering the route, schedule or vehicle of a bus service) in case of rapidlychanging demand, preferring flexible (pre-bookable public transport) instead of scheduled servicesor other smart solutions.4.2.4. Reciprocal linkage of daily activity spacesIn the reciprocal linkage of daily activity spaces and providing mobility facilities between largercentres in mainland Estonia, railway services have an important role. Its potential is illustrated by thefact that as much as 80% of Estonia’s population are living in the vicinity of the existing railway routes(see Figure 8). This suggests that the utilisation of railway services could be increased significantly.Railway services are the only national mobility mode by means of which distances across space andtime may be reduced significantly. On roads, speeds cannot be increased to the same extent or assafely. Railway services at a technically good level allow travel speeds of 120 to 160 kilometres perhour, time-efficient travel (including to work on a daily basis) or long-distance travel. In addition to34