The framework conditions for competition have changed and the financial situation of municipalities is getting more and more precarious. In many sectors, municipality owned companies following general economics principles are increasingly put under pressure for change. Today cost-related and competition issues rule and shape the way actors behave. As for the public transport and municipal waste disposal sectors, new potentials for more rationalisation are emerging: practices such as merging, concentrating on key issues and outsourcing have become more important. In this respect, the traditional targets of services of general interest are being undermined.
Against this background, the present project is aimed at producing a concept for promoting a quality-oriented and long-termed service strategy regarding the above mentioned sectors. The project will focus on quality characteristics of services of general interest, sustainable infrastructure planning, added costumer's value, co-operation and the creation of regional networks; and, last but not least, on the consequent safeguarding and creating of jobs.