PUBLIC TRANSPORT :DRIVING EUROPE FORWARD IN 2014-2019

UITP is the international association of public transport, with 1,300 member companies worldwide.

In the European Union, UITP represents the interests of more than 400 urban, suburban and regional public transport operators and authorities from all Member States and interacts with the European institutions and other organisations.

ABOUT UITP

The responsibility of the competent local authority to define the public service obligations (PSO) for its territory : Without prejudice to European and national law, the local authority should define its PSO and decide how and to whom a contract should be awarded.

Local solutions : Not everything in public transport needs to be regulated by European policy-makers. In many cases, challenges can be better tackled by excellent locally-developed solutions than at European level.

We stand for:

Striving for higher quality and more efficient service provision : Competition is not an end in itself, but a way of achieving improved quality of service and better cost control.

Reaping the benefits of “network effects” : A good public transport system is based on a network of several modes and lines that complement each other. Public service contracts should cover such networks, which may encompass both profitable and non-profitable lines.

UITP advocates for people-friendly cities where all public and private transport modes have a place, based on the well-informed choices of passengers and the sustainable mobility concepts of authorities. High-quality public transport services are the backbone of livable cities, where citizens can prosper economically and socially.

Get in touch with our European public transport expertsBrigitte Ollier, Director of the UITP European Department

europe@uitp.org l +32-2-673 61 00 l www.uitp.eu

Consult our policy papers : www.uitp.org/eu-position-papers

Public transport means safe transit solutions for people with reduced mobility and the elderly : The sector is making big steps towards increased accessibility to vehicles and stations. It’s a safe way for an ageing population to travel – without using a private car.

Public transport empowers the economy : It ensures the mobility of people in the most efficient way and helps reduce congestion costs and other negative exter-nalities of individual transport. Investment in public transport shapes future mobility and generates value that exceeds the initial investment 3-4 times.

Public transport creates jobs : Investment in public transport infrastructure is a catalyst for economic

Public transport means sustainable mobility : For every kilometer travelled, public transport emits 3.5 times less green-house gases per passenger than private cars. Public transport is therefore far more ecological and contributes to the EU targets of cutting CO2 emissions to 20% below 1990 levels by 2020.

Public transport ensures social cohesion : Public transport offers mobility to all at affordable prices, allowing people to participate fully in economic, social and cultural activities.

Public transport makes cities more livable : Available and efficient transport systems are key factors for companies and individuals when choosing where to settle. Public transport also makes the most efficient use of limited space in cities, leaving more space for green areas, cycling routes and collective social activities.

Public transport improves citizens’ health and safety : Trams, metros and electric buses are clean urban transport modes that enhance air quality in cities. Walking to and from the stations keeps people active and contributes to their overall health. In addition, public transport causes fewer accidents than car traffic does.

PRIORITIESFOR THEEUROPEAN TRANSPORT POLICY

Policy coherence : The promotion of public transport is not just the responsibility of transport or environmental policy-makers ; it requires a coherent policy framework across different sectors, including energy, competition, industry, climate, education, regional, social, health and consumer policy.

Regulatory stability : The public trans-port sector is based on long-term investments, whether these concern rolling stock or infrastructure – they yield benefits for a time span of 20-200 years. These very lengthy economic cycles are not compatible with quick-changing, uncertain regulatory contexts. Legal certainty and regulatory stability are prerequisites for the substantial investments that are absolutely neces-sary for dealing with the expected increase in traffic.

A specific legal framework for transport : The legal framework for land public transport is based on a specific EC Treaty provision (Title VI of the TFEU), which forms the basis of rele-vant legislation, such as Regulation 1370/2007. This specific framework allows policy-makers to take into account the particular nature of public transport, which is often a public service provided by local authorities and that requires public budgets, but also an activity by private operators. For UITP and its members, it is of utmost importance that this specific framework be maintained.

Research and innovation : In order to reach the ambitious EU aims for more sustainable urban mobility, new technologies and concepts are needed. The supply industry and public transport ope-rators need to work hand-in-hand to develop smarter and greener mobility solutions and improve seamless travelling systems based on a bottom-up approach. Policy-makers should ensure the necessary financial means for public transport research and innovation.

growth and job creation, as transport connectivity is a pre-requisite for economic development and regeneration. In addition, public transport companies offer green, stable jobs that cannot be moved out of the local area. Often they are among the largest employers in the city and employ people with all levels of qualification.

Flickr–Daniel Sparing

De Lijn–Stefaan Van Hul

Transport for London

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EUROPEAN CITIES OF TOMORROW : THE ROLE OF PUBLIC TRANSPORT