UITP

The International Association of Public Transport (UITP) and its European members support the Commissions objective of simplifying and improving the coherence of the EUs regulatory framework on data through the Digital Omnibus initiative.

UITP supports the principle of European preference, which helps bolster the European industry while strengthening the Unions competitiveness and security. To ensure its effectiveness, UITP is calling for a pragmatic "Made in EU" approach in the framework of the IAA: One that simplifies its implementation without adding administrative burdens or creating red tape for public transport operators (PTOs) and authorities…

UITP welcomes the Horizon Europe proposal and calls for stronger support for public transport as a driver of climate, social, and economic progress. UITP urges full integration of public transport into collaborative research, innovation, and industrial deployment, especially for clean transition and multimodality.

UITP welcomes the ECF proposal and urges the EU to prioritise public transport as a pillar of competitiveness, decarbonisation, and social inclusion. The ECF should support innovation, R&D, and deployment in public transportnetworks, fleets, digital systems, and multimodal hubs. Dedicated funding is needed for clean transition, automation, and resilient infrastructure.

The International Association of Public Transport (UITP) and its members are fully committed to climate protection and the objectives set out in the European Green Deal. Amongst motorised transport, public transport has always been the most sustainable way of travelling. New EU legislation should help to promote public transport services.

Public transport, whether powered by conventional or alternative fuels, means sustainable mobility. By using little space and moving millions of passengers every day, it is a very energy-efficient mode of transport and the backbone of urban mobility. In European cities, public transport by rail and road is estimated to save 100 million car trips daily.

Sustainable batteries are a key element of the Commission’s plans to improve the competitiveness of strategic value chains, and decarbonise the EU economy to achieve climate neutrality by 2050. Their use will support the electrification of public transport which will have clear benefits in terms of reduction of CO2, improving urban air quality and potential for storing renewable energy.

Public transport (PT) companies as well as public transport authorities (PTA), are dedicated to improving their passengers’ experience and are keen on voluntarily sharing certain data they generate. Operators and authorities are uniquely suited to know which data will improve the service rendered to passengers and already make the data they hold accessible and reusable.

The mutual recognition of a European disability card for mobility should ultimately make it easier for the staff dealing with passengers to welcome and assist passengers from different Member States. For this to happen, some pre-conditions need to be fulfilled. In growing and increasingly fast-paced cities, access to public transport is a key factor of mobility and social inclusion.

UITP shares the Commission's ambition for better protection for passengers and their rights, especially in a multimodal perspective. Passengers are at the centre of public transport operations. The public transport sector therefore shares the following contribution to this initiative aiming at improving the passenger rights regulatory framework, addressing lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic.

UITP welcomes initiatives to stimulate and facilitate greenhouse gas emission reduction. Correctly implemented, the GHG emissions accounting should be able to incentivize companies, customers, and passengers to take up efficient public transport solutions and stimulate the market for cleaner vehicles.

Public transport, whether powered by conventional or alternative fuels, means sustainable mobility. By using little space and moving millions of passengers every day, it is a very energy-efficient mode of transport and the backbone of urban mobility. When tackling air pollution, bus transport is not part of the problem, but part of the solution.

UITP supports EU efforts to simplify and harmonise budget monitoring, but warns against increased reporting burdens. Flexibility in indicators and proportionality for small projects are essential. UITP calls for accessible, granular data on beneficiaries, a transparent portal for calls with multi-year visibility, and easier funding access for all stakeholders.

UITP and its members work towards ensuring that rail services in Europe are attractive and reliable, and that passengers are informed and assisted adequately when traveling. We would first like to underline that train punctuality and level of service can be improved first and foremost by modernising and improving rail infrastructure, and by attracting new workforce.

- As public transport is inherently a clean, low carbon form of transport it is naturally a prime candidate for Green Bond investment. - Green Bond proceeds should be used for a wide variety of environmental projects in the public transport sector to help advance local level priorities.