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Joint ETF-UITP statement on the upcoming Green Paper on Urban Mobility

23 January 2007

The European Transport Workers’ Federation (ETF) and the International Association of Public Transport-European Union Committee (UITP) launched today a common statement on urban mobility as the European Commission steps up the release of its Green Paper.

The ETF and the UITP-European Union Committee

welcome the Commission’s intention to publish a Green Paper on urban transport to identify potential European added value to action at local level;
stress that the Green Paper should provide an opportunity to integrate European initiatives on an ongoing basis aimed at: economic growth and employment; use of public transport as an instrument of ‘development planning’ (aménagement du territoire); reducing congestion; improving transport safety; reducing greenhouse gas emissions and improving air quality; reducing noise; reducing energy consumption in urban transport; improving quality at work; improving personal security; improving access; and social inclusion;
urge the Commission to address the issues put forward in their common paper to enhance the vital role that public transport can play in support of the Lisbon Agenda and the Sustainable Development Strategy.

These issues are related to:

Policy instruments

The Green Paper should explore the role of the European institutions in leading and encouraging the development of policies to encourage greater use of public transport as a rational tool for improved urban transport sustainability.

Objectives and measurable targets

Policies and strategies for the achievement of sustainable urban transport systems require specific objectives and measurable targets. The Green paper could address the need of comprehensive and accurate statistics on urban transport in general, and on public transport in particular, to ensure that targets are measurable. The Green Paper should also consider the possibility of mandatory sustainable urban transport plans in urban areas with populations of 100,000 and more.

Finance

Financial insecurity within public transport should be tackled by the Green Paper. Financial support may be designed to allow higher levels of service or specific additional services and/or lower fares than would otherwise be possible. It would be helpful to establish all forms and sources of funding for public transport infrastructure and operations at national, regional and local levels and to explore the possibility of additional European Union funds for urban transport projects that favour sustainable systems.

Quality

The Green Paper should contemplate the principal elements of quality in public transport to attract and retain users. It could be an excellent vehicle for identifying best practice. This would include emphasis on the responsibility of all levels of government to ensure quality in public transport and the provision of appropriate financing.

Employment

Employees are key to the success of public transport operations. Learning and development of the employees within the companies should be assured. Remuneration, benefits, working conditions and conditions of employment should attract, retain, motivate and reward employees. The Green Paper should address these issues, particularly with regard to identifying best practices, and emphasise the importance of social dialogue.

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