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Assessment of the Bulgarian General Transport Master Plan. On behalf of the European Commission, DG Regional Policy. Hans Vogelaar, ECORYS Meeting Monitoring Committee Operational Programme Transport Pravets, 7 June 2011. Objective of the assessment.
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Assessment of the Bulgarian General Transport Master Plan On behalf of the European Commission, DG Regional Policy Hans Vogelaar, ECORYS Meeting Monitoring Committee Operational Programme Transport Pravets, 7 June 2011
Objective of the assessment • Second opinion on the Bulgarian General Transport Master Plan • Tasks • Review GTMP, coherence with EU Transport Policy and national sector objectives • Evaluate results 2000-2006 and 2007-2013 programming periods • Consult relevant stakeholders in Bulgaria • Recommendations using GTMP for preparations 2014-2020 programming period
GTMP objectives • Technical data, models, multimodal studies • Medium and long term investment programming • Funding Operational Programme Transport 2007 – 2013 • Identifying strategic priorities • Programmes and projects • Resources transport sector, financing opportunities incl. PPP • Institutional requirements, reform • Carried out by AECOM Limited, 2008 - 2011
EU Transport Policy • Policy/strategy development (DG MOVE) • Funding: Structural and Cohesion (DG REGIO) • Environment (DG ENV) • OPT and GTMP superficial in addressing EU policy issues • White Paper 2011 “Roadmap to a Single European Transport Area”: • Resource efficient means of transport • Clean urban transport • Technologically innovative (intelligent) transport systems • User-pays, polluter pays principle, internalisation external costs • Private finance initiative New OPT 2014-2020 to reflect White Paper’s comprehensive approach
Programmes • ISPA (2000-2006) and ERDF/Cohesion Fund (2007-2013) • Administrative Capacity • Institutional framework, enabling • Project (Cycle) Management, supported by • Transport Planning, knowledge, skills, competences • Traffic forecasting, modelling • Project Appraisal (CBA, EIA) GTMP • Pipeline Management, Prioritization • Obstacles • Retendering, redesign, new options, variants • Disputes between employer and contractor • Pre-financing requirements • Land acquisition
GTMP results Strong points • Model and data management technically sound • Comprehensive approach: investment, maintenance and operations, administrative and organisational measures • Project pipeline mechanism useful Weak points • Reference EU Transport Policy, strategic base • Project appraisal: CBA approach • Funding chapter, PPP information • Institutional & human resources development
GTMP delivery • Considerable delay endangers GTMP’s effectiveness • Little stakeholder involvement during model and data base development • Systems and data files (excl. model software) handed over to MTITC but not implemented • Limited transport planning capacity/capabilities at MTITC • Serious risk: GTMP heritage not operational for preparations next programming period • Missed opportunity: Master Plan acting as catalyst of transport planning capacity development
Stakeholders’ involvement Criticism • Involvement development GTMP limited, little feedback • No discussion alternatives/options • No capacity building in organisations to use GTMP system soon Project development • Inadequacy own administrative capacity, continuity programme/project preparation/implementation • JASPERS’ support considered indispensable for years to come Planning ahead • Potential GTMP: project selection, appraisal and prioritisation instrument • Private sector interest in next OPT development
Conclusions & recommendations • GTMP support medium and long term investment programming? • Overall conclusion: GTMP limited applicability • Report: Rigid project listings and priorities, partly outdated and disputed, no opportunity for further option analysis • Tool for project selection, appraisal and prioritisation: 1) full operational implementation GTMP models and data bases not feasible in view of required capacities/ capabilities MTITC 2) No time to be instrumental preparing new OPT 2014-2020 • But GTMP useful as a stepping stone, using what can be made operational at reasonable short term (action plan)
Towards Action Plan • New OPT 2014-2020 to reflect White Paper’s comprehensive approach • Adequate transport planning capacity core competence MTITC • Dedicated unit in MTITC to manage planning instruments and data bases: traffic forecasting (models), project appraisal, project pipeline management • GTMP as stepping stone, emphasis on GTMP pipeline management module: project listing, screening, prioritization • MTITC to coordinate transport planning requirements and make data and instruments accessible to beneficiaries • Coordination knowledge management financing (PPP!!) with Ministry of Finance • Institutional and human resource consequences • TA to further prepare the pipeline management module in short term.