scholarly journals MODELING CRITERIA FOR SERVICES OF GENERAL INTEREST ORGANIZED BY TRAIN OPERATORS

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Borna Abramović ◽  
Renato Humić
Keyword(s):  
General Interest ◽  
Transport Service ◽  
Quality Requirements ◽  
The Public ◽  
Business Operations ◽  
Transport Services ◽  
Expert’S Opinion ◽  
Services Of General Interest ◽  
Mode Of Transport

The definition and conclusion of the Public service obligation contract for rail (PSO contract) is between the national passenger railway carrier and the competent transport Ministry. The PSO contract represents an optimal mode of transport arrangement as a unified and unique traffic model with traffic criteria such as timetable, type of vehicle, quality requirements, user behaviour and expected revenues. To conclude a PSO contract, it is necessary to provide a methodology for modelling criteria for transport services of general interest respectively for making the role of a train operator sustainable and satisfying for public needs. AHP method was used for criteria valuation among twenty experts. Encouraging rail passengers transport based on users’ requirements leads to a different way of conducting business operations for the carrier. Research results based on experts’ opinions shows that most important sub-criteria for providing quality transport service is a state of infrastructure while evaluating timetable parameters. To keep the service on a satisfactory level, experts consider that diesel train costs and maintenance costs needs to be reduced. Experts also concluded that quality requirements sub-criteria such as availability and safety should be provided before and during the journey. Offering numerous and useful amenities at stations such as bars, kiosks and ticket offices will help to retain service users. Last and the most important expert’s opinion conclusion is that public passenger transport is depending on state funds and budget. The current practice of awarding PSO contracts is based solely on the scoring of tenders received through published tenders and therefore requires a model that will include all relevant parameters and their corresponding sub-criteria.

Services of General Interest and Territorial Sustainability in Romania

2016 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 69-74
Author(s):  
Oana Nicoleta Barbu ◽  
Cristian Stănilă
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Development ◽  
General Interest ◽  
Main Role ◽  
The Sustainable Development ◽  
The Public ◽  
Use Of Resources ◽  
Services Of General Interest

AbstractThe strengthening of social cohesion, the globalization and the opening of the market to free competition, the expanding of the public – private partnership and the sustainable development are the main questions which arise today about the future of services of general interest. The current economic and financial crisis recalls that the main role of the services of general interest lies in ensuring the social and territorial cohesion. At the same time, the crisis has a significant impact on the public sector due to the pressure on public finances and it is essential to make every effort possible in order to keep providing these services and improve their quality. The upcoming accession of Romania to the European Union requires precise criteria for guaranteeing the performance and quality of public services of general interest and, in particular, the development of network industries and the link between these elements is a prerequisite for facilitating the integration, increasing citizens welfare and achieving in a short time the community rules and standards. The role of services of general interest is the sustainable development of a territory and their contribution in maintaining the balance between environment and society, exploiting the available resources in a particular plan, fighting against social exclusion and isolation. Overall, the man has an important role, he can transform the environment, because he is considered an integral part thereof, subject only to maintaining the balance between himself and the other components of the environment; at the same time, he must accept his role as a stabilizing factor in his relationship with nature. Services of general interest in a region should positively influence the life of people in order to achieve the long-term development vision by transforming the region’s functioning of institutions. Sustainable development means recognizing that economy, environment and social welfare are interdependent namely that affecting the environment in terms of quality will sooner or later have a negative influence on economic development and the quality of life of each one of us. The human component is an essential urban mobility, and every type of public service must be carried out in a planned system in terms of territory. A responsible demographic capable of long-term strategies for rational use of resources, ensures sustainability planning. Sustainability does not imply an imposed proactive strategy. If an area has resources, a vigorous and enterprising demographic system, fair and profitable exchanges with the outside, it is sustainable, thus it can evolve without outside intervention.

scholarly journals A Proposal of Measures Towards a Qualitative Enhancement of Bus Transport Services in the Primorsko-goranska County

Pomorstvo ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 32 (1) ◽  
pp. 50-58
Author(s):  
Siniša Vilke ◽  
Tomislav Krljan ◽  
Borna Debelić
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Data ◽  
Current Situation ◽  
Passenger Transport ◽  
Transport Service ◽  
The Public ◽  
Transport Services ◽  
Passenger Flows ◽  
Bus Transport ◽  
Density Rate

The survey, which consisted of counting, polling and recording, has provided data on the existing volume of passenger flows in public bus stations/terminals within the Primorsko-goranska (Littoral-Mountainous) County (hereinafter: the PG County), the density rate of passengers on bus lines that operate on County connections and on bus lines connecting the PG County with other counties in Croatia. In addition to the quantitative parameters, the qualitative data were analyzed that had been obtained by polling passengers at the Rijeka bus terminal, whereupon detailed opinions of direct users of the service were elaborated with the aim of obtaining a picture of the current situation of the public bus transport in the PG County. The data collected were used in evaluating the quality of the passenger transport service provided and in determining measures to be taken in order to bring both the actual quality of transport and the satisfaction of passengers to a higher level.

Putting security at the heart of the European social pact – proposals to make flexicurity more balanced

2008 ◽  
Vol 14 (3) ◽  
pp. 419-433 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pascale Vielle ◽  
Jean-Michel Bonvin
Keyword(s):  
Public Funding ◽  
General Interest ◽  
The Social ◽  
Social Pact ◽  
Services Of General Interest ◽  
Employment Rates ◽  
New Instruments ◽  
The Eu

The concept of flexicurity opens up new avenues for rethinking our approach to social integration and security for Europe's citizens. In the current European debate, however, flexicurity is out of balance on two levels: it leans too far towards flexibility at the expense of security, and it is too focused on the labour market (and increasing employment rates) at the expense of other aspects of quality of life. This article suggests ways to rebalance flexicurity, giving more substance to ‘security’. In particular it proposes that, in addition to the mutualisation typically found in conventional social security strategies, services of general interest and time and space policies should also be developed. It recommends the negotiation of a new social pact in which all partners (not just the social partners) should have their say. The conclusion highlights the particular role of the EU in promoting harmonising measures and establishing new instruments for security and different ways of approaching public funding and investment.

The ETUC policy on services of general interest

2002 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 224-233
Author(s):  
Wolfgang Kowalsky
Keyword(s):  
Public Sector ◽  
Trade Unions ◽  
Public Services ◽  
Fundamental Rights ◽  
General Interest ◽  
Processes Of Change ◽  
The Public ◽  
Charter Of Fundamental Rights ◽  
European Trade ◽  
Services Of General Interest

In view of the dramatic processes of change under way in the public sector and services of general interest, the ETUC has been obliged to reconsider its policies. The article describes the efforts made by the ETUC in the context of the Charter of Fundamental Rights and the drafting of a proposals for a framework directive. The next challenge to be faced is that of influencing the Convention on the Future of Europe, which requires that European trade unions make urgent efforts to redefine and develop their positions on public services.

Data quality requirements for water bills

2016 ◽  
Vol 28 (6) ◽  
pp. 933-953 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patrícia Moura e Sá ◽  
Rita Martins
Keyword(s):  
Data Quality ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
General Interest ◽  
Plain Language ◽  
Quality Requirements ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Services Of General Interest ◽  
Quality Dimensions ◽  
Data Quality Dimensions ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to uncover the customers’ concerns with the information disclosed in water services invoices and to analyse them with reference to the data quality dimensions usually proposed in the literature. In the context of services of general interest invoices are particularly relevant as a vehicle to convey information to all consumers. Design/methodology/approach Based on the principles of quality planning, the research uses a qualitative approach to identify the data quality requirements of water invoices. Customer voices were collected by means of focus groups and their meanings analysed using an affinity diagram. Findings Findings show that plain language efforts and strategies to enhance trust on the service provided need to be further reinforced. Consumers’ requirements together with the regulator recommendations also confirm the data quality dimensions identified in the literature. Practical implications This research highlights that avoiding technical language and making visible the consequences of different consumption levels on the amounts to be paid is essential when designing water invoices. Moreover, it emphasises that there is still room for improvement in the way the economic regulator performs its role in ensuring the provision of sound information. Originality/value This research addresses a literature gap by conducting a study on data quality requirements outside the context of information systems for organisations. The study is original because it looks at water invoices as a “product” that can be designed to meet the needs of their users.

scholarly journals Public Services between the Citizen’s Need and the Possibilities of the Administration

2018 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 23-34
Author(s):  
Adriana Grigorescu
Keyword(s):  
Public Services ◽  
Living Environment ◽  
General Interest ◽  
Public Authorities ◽  
The Public ◽  
Financial Strength ◽  
The Social ◽  
Public Resources ◽  
Services Of General Interest

Abstract This paper aims at the balance between the citizen and the public authorities with public services as an interface. Public services place themselves at the crossroads of many elements such as: needs of the citizen, social need, public will, public resources, private availability, and civic sense. Without claiming to have identified all factors that converge to defining / structuring the public services (PS) / services of general interest (SGI), the paper tried to highlight some of the most important. The social need is covered at the macro level and it represents what society - as a whole - needs. Citizens’ needs are more specific, individualized and custom-designed, rundown by gender, age, education, social condition, financial strength, religion, living environment etc. The public will is an expression of what the Administration encompasses in mid- and long-term national strategies and addresses in detail the PS / SGI in sectorial policies where responsibility is assumed. Public resources include in our assessment all resources at the disposal of the Administration at some point. Private availability can be expressed through various forms such as public-private partnerships, development of complementary private sponsorships, donations etc. A balanced public service can also benefit of citizens’ civic sense. Even if they are completely satisfied with the services at hand they understand that it would be without sense to unnecessary ask for them just only because it’s free.

scholarly journals Reorganization of the public utility companies

Pomorstvo ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 31 (1) ◽  
pp. 53-59
Author(s):  
Željko Smojver ◽  
Gorana Stumpf ◽  
Donald Schiozzi
Keyword(s):  
Scientific Paper ◽  
Public Utility ◽  
The Public ◽  
Commercial Activities ◽  
Business Operations ◽  
Transport Services ◽  
Optimal Functioning ◽  
Utility Companies ◽  
Efficient Planning ◽  
Business Optimization

This scientific paper includes an analysis of the provision of public city transport services and explores a new organizational model regarding the city companies, i.e. public utility companies and companies operating within a local self-government unit. The model includes separate groups of utility activities and commercial activities and centralizes the supporting functions into a new company, which will be in charge of joint affairs, thus creating a synergy. Such model ultimately generates higher revenues, higher service quality, higher operations efficiency and lower operating costs. The purpose of this scientific paper was to determine the compatibility of the public utility companies’ operations within a local self-government unit and to identify areas for improvement, which would ensure more efficient business operations. Under the assumption that the existing, general organizational structure has no conditions for a more optimal functioning, it is necessary to observe the subsystems, i.e. the elements or components and to repeat the procedure until reaching a solution which improves the functioning of the system at the level of observing it as a separate whole. An analysis of the public utility system’s productivity was carried out and the existence of compatibility among services, which would lead to synergies and business optimization, was examined. The research results indicate a fact that the introduction of the model for separate grouping of supporting activities and commercial activities creates a uniform quality, avoids data doubling, allows for a better workload organization and a more efficient planning leading to a higher level of productivity.

Public Waste Management Services in the Internal Market – and the Interpretation of Article 106 TFEU

2011 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 23-45
Author(s):  
Hans-Joachim Koch ◽  
Moritz Reese
Keyword(s):  
Waste Management ◽  
Household Waste ◽  
General Interest ◽  
Public Provision ◽  
The Public ◽  
Provision Of Services ◽  
Services Of General Interest ◽  
Free Movement Of Goods ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Do So

AbstractA matter of current dispute in the German waste-management sector is the extent to which it is permissible under EU law to restrict the market for the recovery of household waste in favour of public providers of disposal services, as is common practice in many member states. This dispute raises fundamental questions as to the relationship between the public provision of services of general interest and European competition and so concerns, in particular, the relevant rules under Article 106 TFEU. In adopting this article, the parties to the Treaty have—as will be shown below—reserved considerable freedom to exempt public services of general interest from competition and the free movement of goods. Whilst their freedom to do so may be limited under secondary legislation providing for an EU-wide competition solution, such legislation must take the form of a targeted liberalisation measure which also lays down the accompanying rules needed to guarantee a universal, reliable and affordable provision of services. The secondary EU waste legislation does not meet this requirement.

Law and Religion in a Secular World: A European Perspective

2012 ◽  
Vol 14 (3) ◽  
pp. 355-370 ◽  
Author(s):  
Silvio Ferrari
Keyword(s):  
Public Sphere ◽  
Political Thought ◽  
Religious Freedom ◽  
Recent Trend ◽  
General Interest ◽  
The Public ◽  
Secular World ◽  
The Public Sphere ◽  
Role Of Religion

This article examines two interpretations of the process of secularisation that can be traced back through European legal and political thought, and a more recent trend that challenges both of them. It does this through the prism of the public sphere, because in today's Europe one of the most debated issues is the place and role of religion in this sphere, understood as the space where decisions concerning questions of general interest are discussed. The article concludes, first, that the paradigm through which relations between the secular and the religious have been interpreted is shifting and, second, that this change is going to have an impact on the notion of religious freedom and, consequently, on the recognised position of religions in the public sphere.1

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