Interactions between Key Factors that Influence Cross-Border Cooperation in Public Transport: The Case of the Euregio Meuse-Rhine

Several factors that influence cross-border cooperation (CBC) in spatial planning in Europe – including technical, legal and cultural factors – have been observed empirically in recent years. However, the importance and interactions among these may vary significantly between the specific fields of spatial planning (e.g. mobility, economic clusters, energy networks or urban-regional partnerships). To determine the more specific implications these factors have on public transport where obstacles to CBC are particularly evident, the authors conducted nine interviews with public transport and mobility planners in the Belgian-Dutch-German borderland. These interviews revealed major interactions between key factors (e.g. technical, political and financial) that influence CBC in public transport. Thus, it is challenging to determine the individual importance of any of these factors. In this case study region, stakeholders have used different forms of institutionalization to mitigate obstacles and further promote cross-border public transport.