The threats posed by the climate crisis calls for immediate and concerted action at all levels of governance, while the green transition must not aggravate existing inequalities. Public transport and active mobility (walking and cycling) are the most sustainable, affordable, democratic, dependable, and resilient transport modes – and the most solid foundation on which to build.
We have a choice – simply to perpetuate “business as usual”, but greener and technology-oriented, with an emphasis on decarbonisation; or a fundamental reprioritisation of our transport and mobility choices. As joint signatories of this open letter, in the middle of the important climate negotiations at COP26, we call upon the European Commission to produce an ambitious urban mobility framework (UMF) that will foster a sustainable and just mobility transition at the local level. We need a step change in our everyday activities if we are to deliver effective, fair and sustainable change. The Commission should adopt a holistic approach towards the challenges we must collectively face, and not only focus on technological upgrades. Behavioural choices must be supported and encouraged by the provision of public transport and active mobility ecosystems.
Any solution that falls short of implementing modal shifts at the local level will take the current problems of social inequality, economic inefficiency, congestion, and local environmental detriment into the next decade. Priority must be given to a radically expanded and more attractive public transport offer and more opportunities for active mobility, which will enable a carbon-neutral society while also providing enhanced mobility for all, irrespective of income and ability; maximising the efficiency of the use of road and rail infrastructure; and reducing severance, congestion and air pollution.
We call upon the European Commission to adopt an Urban Mobility framework that places accessible public transport at the forefront, enabling it to achieve its maximum potential, in particular to:
- Ensure that Sustainable Urban Mobility Plans (SUMPs) accelerate the uptake of sustainable and collective mobility;
- Support sustainable mobility with appropriate funding opportunities;
- Create multimodal mobility on the ground by harnessing the benefits of data.
This open letter is supported by the International Association of Public Transport (UITP), The European Passenger Transport Operators (EPTO), the Network of European Cities and Regions for Transport Innovation (POLIS), Walk 21, the European Cyclists’ Federation (ECF), the European Metropolitan Transport Authorities (EMTA), Eurocities, the European Disability Forum (EDF), the European Passengers Federation (EPF), the European Public Health Alliance (EPHA), the Community of European Railways (CER), the European Rail Supply Industry Association (UNIFE), and SGI Europe.
