State of flux

The effects of the transition from the Soviet regime to becoming a market economy and a member of the European Union for transport in the Baltic State of Lithuania are considered. Prior to EU accession, Lithuania's national budget did not make much provision for IT-based public transport technologies, but this has changed due to support funds, seed money programmes and pan-European partnership projects. Kaunas, Vilnius and Klaipeda, the three largest cities in the country, are implementing an electronic ticketing system. Vilnius and Klaipeda will acquire the equipment necessary for buses and trolley buses and for maintaining the integral functions of the system. Kaunas will, in addition, purchase billing and clearing equipment. Vilnius and Klaipeda will take on a private operator to manage revenues, while Kaunas plans to maintain the management in house. Vilnius has plans for the construction of new tram lines. The new public transport agency, Vilnius Tramvajus, is responsible for the development and securing of funding for the project. Vilnius City Council has adopted a general public transport scheme. The two key factors that will affect the future implementation of intelligent transport systems (ITS) in urban transport in Lithuania are EU support and the growth of private car ownership.