The Management Committee of the Trinational Eurodistrict Basel (TEB) met on 25 September 2009 in Saint-Louis. The items on the agenda included the improvement of the cross-border fare structure, the "IBA Basel 2020" international exhibition project and the presentation of a geoportal project.
Improvement of cross-border cooperation on fares
Financial support from the Interreg Upper Rhine programme has boosted the implementation of this project, launched in 2008 at the initiative of the TEB and backed by the existing transport operators. The results of an initial interim study have also just been communicated: it analysed the cross-border fare provision and proposed ideas for optimising the project. The present fare provision is satisfactory for monthly or annual season tickets (RegioCardPlus) and for the one-day trinational tickets (TicketTriRegio), and visibly meets a market demand. Among several proposals, the study recommends the improvement and extension of trinational fare solutions for single ticket sales. After examining and assessing these proposals, the project laeders want to implement some of them rapidly. The partners also want to see the cross-border transport tickets become more popular. This objective is pursued by an Interreg project currently in progress, which plans targeted communication and marketing actions in 2010 to make the cross-border fare range better known, and will make timetable information available on-line.
International architecture exhibition project - "IBA Basel 2020"
For more than four years now the TEB has been preparing the first trinational and cross-border architecture exhibition, "IBA Basel 2020". Funding, which secures the trinational backing of the project, has been obtained for the next three years. Sources include the local authorities of the three countries, European Interreg IVA funds and grants requested from the Swiss federal state. The international exhibition has the following objectives:
- show how the authorities of the trinational urban region can collaborate more closely in order to grow together in a sustainable manner, without losing their identity and cultural diversity,
- give the urban region high visibility for its population, as the exhibition enables inhabitants and members of civil society to reflect on a common vision of the cross-border territory,
- define priorities to improve the effects of the present cross-border undertaking, its financing and its projects,
- increase the international influence of the region by setting up a joint platform and joint marketing for approved projects,
- generate added value for the authorities and the project leaders by speeding up the implementation of exemplary and sustainable projects of excellence.
Cross-border geoportal project
This project, currently in preparation, also appeared on the agenda of the Committee meeting of 25 September. It is an Internet-based geographical information system which would enable the geographical data of the Eurodistrict partners to be displayed on a single map and combined interactively according to the needs. The principle is to network the existing geographical information for the Eurodistrict partners that have cross-border interests and to bring together base maps covering the whole of the territory.
Further information at www.eurodistrictbasel.eu
Photo : TEB-ETB
Source: Cross-border news, No. 53, October 2009
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