Investment in public transport should form part of EU economic recovery plan

The EU Committee of the International Association of Public Transport (UITP) today addressed a letter to the
President of the European Commission, José Manuel Barroso, and the College of Commissioners urging them to include
urban and suburban public transport networks in the transport infrastructure investments which are to form part of
the European economic recovery plan due to be unveiled tomorrow.

“Economic wealth in Europe is mainly created in urban areas which very often face high congestion and pollution
levels. Approximately 7% of this wealth is wasted on the external costs of accidents, congestion, health and
environmental damage linked to transport,” stated Guido del Mese, Chairperson of UITP’s EU Committee. “When
discussing higher levels of public investment for infrastructure development, it is therefore important to also
better adapt and extend the capacity of the current public transport networks to offer attractive mobility solutions as a basis for sound economic development whilst reducing congestion, accidents, climate change and local pollution.”

Public transport networks represent an essential link enabling good accessibility for all to the different
functions of the city (such as employment, education, health, leisure) while securing social inclusion and
providing stable local employment. In the European Union UITP estimates that public transport operators create
900,000 direct jobs, and studies suggest that every direct job in public transport is linked to four jobs in other
sectors of the economy.

“Investment in better and more public transport therefore represents an indispensable element for supporting
sustainable economic growth in European urban areas,” concluded UITP’s President, Roberto Cavalieri.

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·       UITP is the international network for public transport authorities and operators, policy decision-makers,
scientific institutes and the public transport supply and service industry. It is a platform for worldwide
co-operation, business development and the sharing of know-how between its 3,100 members from 90 countries.
UITP is the global advocate for public transport and sustainable mobility, and the promoter of innovations in the sector.

·       The UITP EU Committee was established in 1965. The objective of the EU Committee and its secretariat,
EuroTeam, is to represent the common interests of public transport undertakings to the EU institutions.
It monitors legislation and provides members with information regarding EU policy developments, prepares EU
Committee positions papers, and assists and advises members concerning all aspects of European policies related to
the public transport sector.

Press contacts

Cara McLaughlin | Director of Communications

Direct phone: 32 2 6636639 | Fax: 32 2 6601072 | cara.mclaughlin@uitp.org

Brigitte Ollier | Director of EuroTeam
Direct phone: 32 2 6636626 | Fax: 32 2 6636623 | brigitte.ollier@uitp.org