Overlapping spaces: Planning for the “whole journey” in Swedish public transport

Source abstract

This paper explores how regional public transport authorities in Sweden interpret and apply the “whole-journey approach” in planning for sustainable mobility. The concept refers to the idea that public transport must be planned as a seamless chain of movements, integrating the entire journey, from departure to arrival, across different modes and environments. Drawing on planning documents and interviews from five non-metropolitan counties, the study shows that, while the whole-journey approach is a shared ambition, its implementation varies in both logic and practice. Two planning logics emerge: one focused on individual users and the seamlessness of their trips, and another oriented around collective service provision through high-capacity transit corridors. Building on existing international models, the paper develops a spatial framework identifying four overlapping spaces throughout the journey: information, departure, public transport, and arrival. The analysis finds that public transport authorities have strong control over the information and public transport spaces, concentrating efforts on digital services and integration across operators. However, their influence is limited in the departure and arrival spaces, which depend on co-planning with municipalities and national authorities. This reveals a gap between ambition and institutional capacity. The paper concludes that the whole-journey approach is best understood as a flexible planning ideal rather than a fixed method. While it offers a promising framework for linking public transport to land-use planning, its effectiveness depends on stronger coordination across planning levels and deeper engagement with the everyday mobility needs of individuals.