Ms. Konradsson is a Member of City Council of Sodertalje, Green Party and Vice president of KOMPASS   (The Municipality of Södertälje is situated in the southern part of the Stockholm region in Sweden. Södertälje is an important transport node for central Sweden where major highways and railways meet and the Södertälje channel is an important link between the Baltic Sea and the expanding Mälarregion.)

1. When did you begin to have interests of Podcars?

Four years ago I first heard about Podcars. To begin with, I was very, very skeptic. But the more I learned about the concepts the more  convinced I am to see Podcars as the future of public transports.

2. What are the benefits of Podcars, as you see it?

Podcars have service around the clock without any time tables. The guide-way goes normally elevated and separated from other traffic. This means that it’s safe and also gives more room to pedestrians and bicycles on street level. Further, as most public transit users are women, Podcars offer women and children a safer, quicker and more comfort way of travel.

3. What is the role of the elected officials?

To introduce new technology, you have to have courage and modern way of thinking. The politicians have to take the lead for a safe, sound and sustainable future public transport. It is a big challenge, however a very interesting task.

4. What are the interests of Podcars in Sodertalje?

In Sodertalje municipality we have done feasibility studies of how Podcars can be an integrated part of the whole city planning. Sodertalje is a mid-sized town with four train stations and is divided by a water-channel. The interconnections between stations and different city parts have to be better and a Podcar system can make the connections together with new bio-gas buses from Scania – our local bus industry.

5. What next?

I strongly hope the Swedish government takes actions to realize a first pilot track of Podcars somewhere in Sweden. Sodertalje will welcome a pilot track here. The development of Podcars/PRT has gone fast forward the last years. It’s not a future project anymore – we can build a first pilot track today.