Paris, 18 May 2015 – for immediate release

Estonian PPP wins global Transport Awardfor smart border crossing point
GoSwift drastically reduces border waiting times / Special mention for
TRANSDANUBE, a multinational tourism framework for the Danube river
An innovative solution for managing traffic queues at international borders is thewinner of the 2015 Transport Achievement Award offered by the International
Transport Forum at the OECD. The Award recognises demonstrated achievement ofexcellence in transport provision that has improved, enabled or facilitated tourism.
GoSwift, an Estonian public-private partnership, allows pre-booking of time slots andvirtual queueing for border crossings via the web, a call centre or self-service
terminals. Better use of the capacity of border crossing points and more efficientjourney planning for trucks and tourists are just two of the immediate benefits.
The service was developed as a response to kilometre-long queues of vehicles waiting
to cross the EU border from Estonia into Russia. Prior to the introduction of GoSwift,
waiting times at the border could reach 5 to 6 days at peak times. With the queue
management service, they are now down to around 30 minutes.
Drivers are informed in real-time on the number of vehicles waiting at the border,
enabling them to adapt their journey. Designated waiting areas provide secureparking, as well as restaurants, toilets, showers and free Wi-Fi.
The mandatory pre-booking has also cut out illicit trade and eliminated the thriving
black market for border crossing slots. The disappearance of truck queues has
improved local traffic flows and road safety. The environment has benefitted both
locally in terms of less waste, reduced noise and fewer exhaust fumes, as well as
globally through less CO2 emissions from idling vehicles.
Trade and tourism statistics show increased activity across the border. Between 2010
and 2013, exports from Estonia to Russia grew by more than 66%, and the number ofRussian visitors to Estonia increased by 35% in 2013. The Estonian Association ofInternational Road Transport Carriers estimates that Estonian carrier companies havebeen able to save 4 Million Euros annually thanks to the GoSwift service.

Following the success of the Estonian project, the same queuing service has been
implemented at five Lithuanian border crossing points and at one Finnish border pointon crossings to Russia and Belarus.
In awarding GoSwift the ITF Transport Achievement Award 2015, the jury noted the“excellent approach to facilitate border crossing” and applauded the positive impact
the GoSwift project has on improving conditions for locals and drivers at the border aswell as the wider economic benefits for tourism and trade between Estonia and Russia.
Said Mr Hannes Plinte, CEO of GoSwift: “Launching GoSwift required new thinking
from the public and private stakeholders involved. The rapid improvements at theborder confirmed that it was the right approach, and we are glad to see ourachievement recognised by the ITF Transport Achievement Award.”
Kristen Michal, Estonia’s Minister of Economic Affairs and Infrastructure, commented:“We are glad that the Estonian government made the decision in 2010 to develop andoperate an electronic queue at the border. The concession agreement with a privatecompany has proven a pragmatic and highly cost-effective approach. The ITF Awardfor GoSwift is a recognition for Estonia’s achievements in e-Government solutions.”
Special mention for TRANSDANUBE project
The jury also awarded a Special Mention to the project “TRANSDANUBE – Sustainable
Transport and Tourism along the Danube”. With its vast natural and cultural heritageand its geopolitical position, the Danube region is one of the most promising tourist
destinations in Europe. Transport infrastructure and mobility services vary widely,
however, and co-operation among stakeholders has been weak. TRANSDANUBE,
developed by the Austrian Environment Agency together with 14 partners from
8 countries (Austria, Bulgaria, Germany, Hungary, Moldova, Romania, Serbia andSlovakia), is successfully creating a framework for co-operation based on anintegrated approach to transport and tourism and a common vision of soft mobility.
Activities range from new bicycle routes, Danube water busses to tourist packages
that do not require use of a private car.
ITF’s Annual Summit is the world’s largest gathering of transport ministers and theleading global platform for dialogue on transport policy. The 2015 Summit convenes inLeipzig, Germany from 27-29 May 2015.
More about the winning projects at 2015.internationaltransportforum.org/awards
Twitter: @ITF_Forum, #ITF2015
Contacts:ITF
Michael KLOTH

GoSwiftHannes PLINTETRANSDANUBE
Agnes KURZWEIL+33 6 27 21 47 41+372 5 04 96 80+43 650 542 82 54

michael.kloth@oecd.org

hannes.plinte@goswift.eu

agnes.kurzweil@umweltbundesamt.at

International Transport Forum 2015 Summit • Media Release • Page 2 of 3

ABOUT THE INTERNATIONAL TRANSPORT FORUM
Who we are
The International Transport Forum is an intergovernmental organisation with 54 member countries. It acts
as think tank for transport policy and organises the Annual Summit of transport ministers. ITF is the only
global body that covers all transport modes.
What we do
ITF works for transport policies that improve peoples’ lives. Our mission is to foster a deeper understandingof the role of transport in economic growth, environmental sustainability and social inclusion and to raise
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How we do it
ITF organises global dialogue for better transport. We act as a platform for discussion and pre-negotiation ofpolicy issues across all transport modes. We analyse trends, share knowledge and promote exchange
among transport decision-makers and civil society. ITF’s Annual Summit is the world’s largest gathering oftransport ministers and the leading global platform for dialogue on transport policy.

International Transport Forum 2015 Summit • Media Release • Page 3 of 3