Urban policy is driven by current trends and ideas. In the 20th century, it was mainly based on modernist views and the most important element of the transport planning policy at that time was the use of the private motor vehicle (car). As a result, transport policies in the 20th century were focused on large-scale road projects, while public transport was marginalized. However, this approach changed drastically at the turn of the 20th and the 21st centuries. Nowadays, the main emphasis is put on environmentally and user-friendly public transport. However, public urban transport often fails to meet the needs of the society. What are the reasons why urban public transport is still not as effective as it should be? The author of this article points in this respect to the poor policy of public bodies responsible for the provision of transport services for the society rather than to the poor quality of the transport law. There are two main areas for improvement - public service planning (defining the service) and cost-effectiveness of providing transport services. The author of the article proposes specific solutions in this regard.Urban policy is driven by current trends and ideas. In the 20th century, it was mainly based on modernist views and the most important element of the transport planning policy at that time was the use of the private motor vehicle (car). As a result, transport policies in the 20th century were focused on large-scale road projects, while public transport was marginalized. However, this approach changed drastically at the turn of the 20th and the 21st centuries. Nowadays, the main emphasis is put on environmentally and user-friendly public transport. However, public urban transport often fails to meet the needs of the society. What are the reasons why urban public transport is still not as effective as it should be? The author of this article points in this respect to the poor policy of public bodies responsible for the provision of transport services for the society rather than to the poor quality of the transport law. There are two main areas for improvement - public service planning (defining the service) and cost-effectiveness of providing transport services. The author of the article proposes specific solutions in this regard.Polityka miejska kształtowana jest przez aktualne trendy i idee. W XX wieku opierała się na ideach modernizmu. Najważniejszym elementem modernistycznej polityki planowania transportu był prywatny pojazd mechaniczny (samochód). Dlatego też polityka transportowa w XX wieku koncentrowała się na wielkoskalowych projektach drogowych. Transport publiczny był natomiast marginalizowany. Podejście to zmieniło się jednak drastycznie pod koniec XX wieku i na początku XXI wieku. Obecnie kładzie się nacisk na przyjazny dla środowiska i użytkowników transport publiczny. Mimo to miejski transport publiczny w wielu przypadkach nadal nie odpowiada potrzebom społeczeństwa. Dlaczego komunikacja miejska wciąż nie jest tak efektywna, jak być powinna? Zdaniem autora artykułu, powodem tego jest raczej zła polityka organów publicznych odpowiedzialnych za świadczenie usług przewozowych społeczeństwu niż zła jakość prawa transportowego. Istnieją dwa główne obszary wymagające poprawy – planowanie usług publicznych (definiowanie usługi) oraz efektywność kosztowa świadczenia usług transportowych. Autor artykułu proponuje konkretne rozwiązania w tym zakresie.Urban policy is driven by current trends and ideas. In the 20th century, it was mainly based on modernist views and the most important element of the transport planning policy at that time was the use of the private motor vehicle (car). As a result, transport policies in the 20th century were focused on large-scale road projects, while public transport was marginalized. However, this approach changed drastically at the turn of the 20th and the 21st centuries. Nowadays, the main emphasis is put on environmentally and user-friendly public transport. However, public urban transport often fails to meet the needs of the society. What are the reasons why urban public transport is still not as effective as it should be? The author of this article points in this respect to the poor policy of public bodies responsible for the provision of transport services for the society rather than to the poor quality of the transport law. There are two main areas for improvement - public service planning (defining the service) and cost-effectiveness of providing transport services. The author of the article proposes specific solutions in this regard
