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Urban transport in the heart of European transport policy

Posted: 30 June 2009 | Antonio Tajani, Vice-President Commissioner for Transport, European Commission | No comments yet

A large majority of Europe’s citizens live in urban areas. Cities and towns are real growth engines for our economy: almost 85% of the EU’s GDP is generated in cities. But in parallel, many negative effects of transport are concentrated in towns and cities. Developing clean, energy efficient, intelligent, safe and affordable urban transport systems is therefore essential to tackling climate change and meeting our commitment to sustainable development.
40 years of EU experience in urban mobility

Urban transport is not a newcomer to the European transport policy. Public transport markets in urban areas have been regulated by the EU for 40 years, since 1969. Furthermore, many corridors of the trans-European network pass through urban areas, and many of its interfaces are located there. It is thus not surprising that all our important policy papers, in the last two decades, addressed urban transport.

A large majority of Europe's citizens live in urban areas. Cities and towns are real growth engines for our economy: almost 85% of the EU's GDP is generated in cities. But in parallel, many negative effects of transport are concentrated in towns and cities. Developing clean, energy efficient, intelligent, safe and affordable urban transport systems is therefore essential to tackling climate change and meeting our commitment to sustainable development. 40 years of EU experience in urban mobility Urban transport is not a newcomer to the European transport policy. Public transport markets in urban areas have been regulated by the EU for 40 years, since 1969. Furthermore, many corridors of the trans-European network pass through urban areas, and many of its interfaces are located there. It is thus not surprising that all our important policy papers, in the last two decades, addressed urban transport.

A large majority of Europe’s citizens live in urban areas. Cities and towns are real growth engines for our economy: almost 85% of the EU’s GDP is generated in cities. But in parallel, many negative effects of transport are concentrated in towns and cities. Developing clean, energy efficient, intelligent, safe and affordable urban transport systems is therefore essential to tackling climate change and meeting our commitment to sustainable development.

40 years of EU experience in urban mobility

Urban transport is not a newcomer to the European transport policy. Public transport markets in urban areas have been regulated by the EU for 40 years, since 1969. Furthermore, many corridors of the trans-European network pass through urban areas, and many of its interfaces are located there. It is thus not surprising that all our important policy papers, in the last two decades, addressed urban transport.

Our 2007 Green Paper on urban mobility has helped to put the issue in the heart of the discussions on the future of transport in Europe. The Paper launched a wide debate on key issues of urban mobility, such as free-flowing and greener towns and cities, smarter urban mobility, and urban transport that is accessible, safe and secure for all European citizens. The debate attracted huge interest and citizens and stakeholders confirmed their expectations of the EU’s involvement in urban mobility – in particular as a facilitator.

Over the past years, we have launched a number of important actions in order to make urban mobility more sustainable. Let me give you some examples of actions that are of particular interest for the public transport sector.

New European rules on public transport services and passenger rights

Important new EU legislation for public passenger transport will enter into force at the end of 2009. Firstly, the Regulation on public transport services for passengers travelling by rail and by road will require the competent authorities to conclude public service contracts when granting exclusive rights or financial compensation for public service obligations. Secondly, the Regulation on the rights of passengers in rail transport will extend European rules to domestic urban, suburban and short-distance regional rail services, usually covered by public service contracts.

In December 2008, we also proposed to strengthen the rights of passengers travelling by bus or coach. These rules address, among others, the equal treatment of disabled persons and persons with reduced mobility.

Promoting clean vehicles and supporting sustainable urban transport

A new European Directive promoting clean and energy efficient road vehicles will come into force in spring 2009. It requires that the procurement of vehicles used in public transport takes into account their lifetime energy consumption as well as their CO2 and pollutant emissions. This will, without doubt, be a strong incentive for further developing the market of clean and energy-efficient vehicles.

Another major initiative, the so-called CIVITAS programme helps cities test and implement integrated packages of measures in the field of both energy and transport. These measures aim to reduce congestion, save energy and promote alternative fuels in urban transport. Since 2002, the EU has made €180 million available to support integrated approaches promoting sustainable transport in many cities across Europe.

An ‘Action Plan’ for the future

We cannot achieve the objectives of European transport policy without looking at transport in urban areas. I am therefore totally committed to further developing European activities in the field of urban mobility. In doing so, we will of course fully respect the principle of subsidiary. The various views expressed in response to the Green Paper on urban mobility have also provided valuable input to a comprehensive ‘Action Plan’ on urban mobility which is being prepared by the European Commission.

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