UITP has addressed an open letter to the new EC President Ursula von der Leyen and Executive Vice-President Frans Timmermans on the role of public transport in the EU Green New Deal.
As the new EC presidency is committed to make the EU climate neutral by 2050, proposing its European Green Deal, UITP is highlighting the role of public transport to achieve this objective.
The association is calling the EC to promote the of public transport, walking and cycling, which is the fastest and most cost-efficient way to decarbonise people’s daily mobility, and reduce the carbon footprint of their mobility choices.
“The public transport sector is committed to fully contribute to the objectives of the Green Deal. Providing people with attractive clean transport options – such as public transport – is key to achieving net carbon neutrality while contributing to other EU objectives in terms of employment, socialand territorialcohesion, economy, accessibility and air quality.” Thomas Avanzata, UITP Europe Senior Director, says.
With the support of the EU Green Deal, the public transport sectorcan achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissionsat the latest by 2050 in a cost-efficient manner.
According to UITP, in 2018, buses, trams and metros in EU cities carried some 50 billion passengers. This saved some 36 billion annual car trips, or 100 million daily, car trips from suffocating the cities. Every year, public transport can help to avoid up 20 tonnes of CO2 in cities while only emitting one tonne. Public transit users help reduce not only GHG emissions, but other air pollutants as well, thereby helping to improve air quality and public health.
In the European Union, UITP brings together more than 450 urban, suburban and regional public transport operators and authorities from all Member States.
Share on:
