Services of general interest in the field of public transport are governed by an extensive system of laws, created by the European Union and national authorities. This is done on the basis of the division of competences between the Union and the Member States, pursuant to Article 4 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union. It is therefore possible, on the one hand, for the Union to make a positive contribution to the development of services of general interest in the field of public transport by creating uniform standards; and, on the other, for the diversity of traditions, structures and situations in the individual Member States to be preserved through the law‑making activities of the national authorities. Using the example of Poland, it may be stated that the legal system relating to the provision of services of general interest in the field of public transport consists of regulations ranging from treaty provisions, through Article 36 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights and EU rules, to statutory regulations and local laws.
The development of information and communication technologies over the last few years, in particular, has changed the image of the contemporary society. Easier and faster access to information and knowledge has contributed to the increase of social awareness of both individuals and entire communities, in addition to the change of their expectations towards the state, its authorities and administration, decisions made by them, as well as to the shaping of a new outlook on the manner and form of individuals' engagement in issues of public concern. These changes mean that the previous forms of civic participation in the execution of public matters require revision and complementation by such forms of participation that would make use of solutions based on state-of-the-art techniques as well as IT and telecommunication tools. Supporters of using such modern technologies in democratic processes indicate a wide range of advantages related thereto, both individual and social. They include, among others, limitation of conflicts in societies, enhancement of effectiveness in decision-making processes and the quality of decisions, increase in credibility and reinforcement of the image of authorities and their administration, as well as boosting the motivation and engagement of individuals in issues of public concern. Are these the only advantages? Are there any disadvantages or risks entailed by the use of these solutions? The following article is an attempt at providing answers to these questions. This paper primarily presents the Polish experience in the implementation of individual forms of participation with the use of IT and telecommunications solutions, and in particular their nature, prerequisites for use, pros and cons involved their meaning in democratic processes and finally, influence on individual - pubic authority relations. ; The development of information and communication technologies over the last few years, in particular, has changed the image of the contemporary society. Easier and faster access to information and knowledge has contributed to the increase of social awareness of both individuals and entire communities, in addition to the change of their expectations towards the state, its authorities and administration, decisions made by them, as well as to the shaping of a new outlook on the manner and form of individuals' engagement in issues of public concern. These changes mean that the previous forms of civic participation in the execution of public matters require revision and complementation by such forms of participation that would make use of solutions based on state-of-the-art techniques as well as IT and telecommunication tools. Supporters of using such modern technologies in democratic processes indicate a wide range of advantages related thereto, both individual and social. They include, among others, limitation of conflicts in societies, enhancement of effectiveness in decision-making processes and the quality of decisions, increase in credibility and reinforcement of the image of authorities and their administration, as well as boosting the motivation and engagement of individuals in issues of public concern. Are these the only advantages? Are there any disadvantages or risks entailed by the use of these solutions? The following article is an attempt at providing answers to these questions. This paper primarily presents the Polish experience in the implementation of individual forms of participation with the use of IT and telecommunications solutions, and in particular their nature, prerequisites for use, pros and cons involved their meaning in democratic processes and finally, influence on individual - pubic authority relations.
