EU Parliament called upon to renew focus on public transport
A consortium of leading networks and organisations in urban mobility, including POLIS, is calling on the European Parliament to widen and sharpen the focus on local and regional public transport.
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As the new EU's legislative term 2024-2029 is gaining speed and we have reached the midpoint of the current Multi-Annual Financial Framework, the European local and regional public transport sector voices an urgent need to recalibrate the Parliament's focus on this pivotal compartment of mobility.
Public transport is key for broader sustainability goals
POLIS is eager to sponsor this joint letter calling on all Members of Parliament to integrate pressing regional and local mobility needs into the EU's policy and financial priorities. This joint statement stems from the recognition that decarbonisation and accessibility in the transport sector are two environmental and social imperatives that cannot be undersized and that public transport services play an instrumental role in achieving them.
Public transport is indeed the backbone of sustainable mobility, especially at the urban and regional levels, and a key enabler for the broader EU's economic, social, and environmental sustainability goals. In the present context of deeply interconnected challenges, the opportunity to boost a just transition and address transport poverty through a renewed focus on public transport services shall not be missed.
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This collective statement puts forward five actionable measures to build accessible, climate-friendly, and attractive public transport systems for European citizens' daily mobility needs.
Public Transport is instrumental for the social well-being and economic success of local and regional communities. It is also an essential building block towards climate-neutral cities and regions. We invite the members of the European Parliament and the new Transport Commissioner to provide the necessary regulatory and financial instruments at the local and regional level to further improve and extend public transport for EU citizens.
Karen Vancluysen, POLIS Secretary General
The bottom line is that we need coordinated action and streamlined financing to ensure this objective is achieved efficiently across the Union, and we need it fast.
Alongside POLIS, the letter bears the following signatures:
- EMTA – European Metropolitan Transport Authorities
- UITP – International Association of Public Transport
- EPTO – European Passenger Transport Operators
- IRU – International Road Transport Union
- CER – Community of European Railway and Infrastructure Companies
- EUROCITIES Network
