THE ROLE OF THE SOCIAL COMPONENT OF PASSENGER TRANSPORTATION BY ROAD IN ENSURING SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT OF TERRITORIES
Abstract
The article examines the social component of passenger transportation by road within the framework of sustainable development principles, emphasizing its close interrelation with the territorial development of regions. It is determined that the accessibility of transport services directly influences the integration of remote settlements into a unified national socio-economic space, while also provoking certain factors that may contribute to regional development disparities. Particular attention is paid to the fact that passenger transportation serves not only as an element of transport infrastructure but also as a tool of social cohesion, which significantly impacts the improvement of the population’s quality of life. It is highlighted that socially oriented organization of passenger road transportation ensures equal opportunities for all categories of the population in accessing the basic needs of regional residents, which is an important precondition for strengthening human capital. Special focus is given to the issue of transport inequality, regarded as a factor of political, economic, and social instability that can intensify social risks and force public authorities to apply administrative regulatory mechanisms in the transport sector to support the development of services in rural and sparsely populated areas. The article analyzes the experience of the European Union, where special financing programs aimed at overcoming transport inequality are being implemented. Mechanisms of financial resource allocation through EU funds, regional policy programs, and initiatives focused on ensuring socially equitable access to transport infrastructure are considered. It is shown that such instruments help reduce social risks, foster the creation of an inclusive transport system, and strengthen territorial cohesion. It is concluded that the development of socially oriented passenger road transportation is a crucial prerequisite for achieving the goals of sustainable development at regional, national, and even transnational levels. Proper organization of passenger transportation creates the conditions for a balanced environment where the interests of society, the economy, and ecology are effectively integrated.
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