# Quality of Service Criteria in Integrated Passenger Transport Systems: An Overview
## 3 Integrated Passenger Transport Systems  
Public transport systems are set up to provide an attractive chain of services in the \"door to door\" relationship, integrating a combination of different means of public transport, public and individual transport and transport policy regarding spatial planning or investment in infrastructure [13]. Public transport systems are traditionally operated in large cities and densely populated areas but are also very feasible in rural areas [14]. An IPTS is conceptualised as an organisational mechanism that integrates various elements of the public transport framework, such as network infrastructure, fare systems, ticketing, information services and marketing strategies. This system is supported by a consortium of transport providers who operate different modes of transport and engage in closer, more efficient interactions. The outcome of this collaborative effort is a marked improvement in both travel conditions and the quality of transport services. The IPTS represents a holistic public transport solution designed to offer passengers, viewed as customers in an economic context, effective and affordable travel alternatives. It aims to provide a comprehensive and integrated approach to passenger transport that considers various modes of transport and integrates them into a unified system. This includes providing frequent and reliable services, reducing total travel times, improving connectivity and passengers' transfers between different modes of transport. This process can be quite complex, as it requires the synchronisation of different transport service providers and substantial investment in infrastructure and technology. By implementing IPTS, the benefits arise for the following parties [14]:  
1. Customers of the public passenger transport service;
2. Local government;
3. Transport provider;
4. The economy. Such a system benefits from the advantages of each transport mode and simultaneously turns the downsides of every mode into the advantages of the other methods of transport [15]. It is essential that every mode of public transport collaborate effectively with other transport modalities, with a primary focus on prioritising the needs of customers throughout the entire system. The integration of urban transport may take place at different levels [16]:  
* Infrastructural;
* Organisational;
* Economic and financial;
* Informational;
* Spatial. Based on the results of eleven case studies, results show that the existence of a business rationale in the integration of transport services could be exploited through the implementation of an adequate business model and that IPTS implementation at the regional level can achieve satisfaction among 81% of users [17]. Integrovany dopravni system Jihomoravskeho kraje (IDS JMK) operates within the entire South Moravian region (Czech Republic) and parts of the Vysocina, Zlin, Pardubice and Olomouc regions bordering the South Moravian region, as well as in parts of Slovakia and Austria. The IDS JMK integration area is divided into 161 fare zones in which 25 operatorsoperate: Brno city transport companies, 5 train carriers and 19 regional bus lines. The total number of routes is 322, of which 71 lines (bus, tram and trolleybus) are in the City of Brno transport system; 33 city transport lines are in other cities (Bredcav, Hodonin, Vyskov, Kyjov, Blansko, Adamov, Bystrice nad Pernstejnem, and Znojmo). There are 24 lines of rail transport, while there are 194 lines of regional bus transport [18]. The main advantage of IDS JMK is unified fares for the entire region. The area of IDS JMK is divided into the so-called fare zones. The core of the fare system are zones 100 and 101, which cover the territory of the City of Brno. Adjacent to them are other areas, typically comprising multiple municipalities or a major city. This approach significantly enhances the clarity and travel speed for passengers, allowing them to easily determine the cost of any journey within the IDS JMK region based on the number of zones they traverse.