A powerful consortium of urban mobility networks and organisations has called upon the European Parliament to place local and regional public transport at the heart of its agenda for the 2024-2029 legislative term. The group, which includes prominent names such as POLIS, EMTA, and UITP, has outlined a series of measures to support jobs, tackle transport poverty, and drive economic growth.
In a joint letter addressed to Members of the European Parliament, the consortium underscored the “fundamental role” of public transport in achieving Europe’s economic, social, and sustainability goals. They urged EU institutions to adopt a European Declaration on Local and Regional Public Transport, highlighting its positive externalities and recommending best practices for sustainable growth and inclusiveness.
The letter, seen by the Green Mobility Magazine, emphasised the need for “solid and structured coordination” between EU institutions, cities, regions, and public transport stakeholders. This coordination, the group argued, would ensure that European policies provide a coherent framework for urban, suburban, and rural mobility.
Funding was another key focus. The consortium called for sufficient funding for local and regional public transport, including zero-emission vehicles and related infrastructure, digitalisation, multimodality, new technologies, and large network projects. They suggested that this could be anchored in the next Multi-Annual Financial Framework, utilising existing funding programmes and new revenue sources such as road charges and polluter pays mechanisms.
The group also highlighted the role of public transport in overcoming transport poverty, a task assigned to the Transport Commissioner. They proposed that the Social Climate Fund could be directed to financially support increased capacity, accessibility, and capillarity in the public transport system.
“With these measures, local and regional public transport can deliver a sustainable and attractive offering, providing mobility to all citizens, supporting cities and regions in achieving their modal shift targets, and reducing Europe’s overall CO2 emissions from the transport sector,” the letter stated.
The intervention comes at a crucial time, as the EU begins to shape its priorities for the next legislative term and the future Multi-Annual Financial Framework. The consortium, which collectively represents the European local and regional public transport sector, has offered to provide further background information and discuss their proposals with MEPs.
The European Parliament has not yet responded to the letter. However, given the EU’s commitment to reducing transport emissions and promoting sustainable mobility, public transport is expected to be high on the agenda over the coming term.
