ITF and UITP unite to promote public transport to tackle climate change

For the first time, both Alain Flausch, UITP Secretary General and Stephen Cotton, ITF General Secretary exchanged their views during the afternoon session of the ITF road and rail conference. They discussed the perspective on improving and expanding public transport, as well as the perspective on employer/employee collaboration in public transport.

The ITF and UITP have agreed to work together to promote the development and expansion of public transport worldwide as an engine for sustainable growth and the creation of green jobs as well as environmental protection in reducing congestion and pollution.

The two organisations, at the centre of public transport systems around the world, have already committed to supporting governments to raise the level of ambition in public transport, working together to provide good quality employment with high standards of training and supporting international partnerships to take climate action.

The UITP and the ITF announced today that they will again join forces to promote the benefits of public transport that will encourage more ambitious climate action and cooperation.

Launching the project, ITF president Paddy Crumlin said: “The outcome of the COP21 climate talks in Paris is a great opportunity for the ITF to the UITP to show climate leadership highlighting the benefits of public transport and the benefits of good, formal public transport jobs. By working together like this we can show how public transport can be at the centre of efforts to reduce emissions, and provide social benefits. Strengthening the relationship with the UITP is a central pillar of the ITF Our Public Transport campaign, which we are launching today at our road and rail conference in Brussels.” (goo.gl/R7W96r)


Alain Flausch, UITP secretary general, said: “When employers and employees work together, great things can happen, and that is what is happening here through the ITF and UITP. As we move forward towards implementing the Paris agreement, we want people to get behind public transport as a major solution to climate change and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.”

ENDS

 
For more details please contact:

UITP
Andrew Canning | Press & Media Manager . Tel: +32 2 663 66 39. Email: andrew.canning@uitp.org. Twitter: @UITPpressoffice

ITF
Sam Dawson, ITF press & editorial manager. Tel: +44 (0)20 7940 9260. Mobile: Email: +44 (0)7850 736146. Email: dawson_sam@itf.org.uk

 
Note to Editors
The International Association of Public Transport (UITP) is a passionate champion of sustainable urban mobility and is the only worldwide network to bring together all public transport stakeholders and all sustainable transport modes. We have 1,400 member companies giving access to 16,000 contacts from 96 countries. Our members are public transport authorities and operators, policy decision-makers, research institutes and the public transport supply and service industry. Visit our website www.uitp.org.  Follow us on Twitter: @UITPpressoffice

 
The International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF)
The ITF represents transport workers throughout the world and promotes their interests through global campaigning and solidarity. For more details please see www.itfglobal.org