ECMF publishes blueprint to double use of EU collective land passenger transport

The European Citizens’ Mobility Forum (ECMF) has published a blueprint for an EU Action Programme that is fully in line with the Smart Move campaign to double the use of collective land passenger transport by 2025. Framed around four principles, the Action Programme covers nine action areas, including governance, infrastructure, innovation, funding, sustainability, taxation, service quality, image, and monitoring the progress made in achieving the objective of doubling. It also advocates the creation of a dedicated EU funding instrument to enhance collective mobility across Europe.

Ismail Ertug, European Parliament Transport Coordinator and ECMF member, said, “Our challenge is to provide the highest possible level of mobility for all EU citizens and, at the same time, tackle resulting issues of congestion, road safety and pollution. A key factor in this will be the promotion of well-functioning, sustainable collective mobility. Therefore, I fully endorse the ECMF's Proposal for a European Action Programme 2015-2025 and look forward to our cooperation.”

Gesine Meissner, European Parliament Transport Coordinator and ECMF member, said, “Promoting collective public transport will be on the agenda of the new Transport Committee of the European Parliament. It is not only a major challenge for cities but also for rural areas where more and more elderly people rely on bus and coach services.”

Wim van de Camp, European Parliament Transport Coordinator and ECMF member, said, “I fully support this initiative because it not only helps reduce traffic congestion in cities, but also provides safer and cleaner cities.”

The Action Programme aims to improve the collective door-to-door mobility chain as a whole, while stressing the key role of customer satisfaction and choice. It also seeks to further improve the mobility chain’s environmental record and continue the industry’s focus on safety, while resolutely improving its image and attractiveness for both customers and those working in the industry.

Yves Mannaerts, President of the IRU Passenger Transport Council, concluded, “The private bus, coach and taxi industry is satisfied with the results achieved so far within this unique discussion platform, the ECMF, which brings together key European mobility stakeholders. We support the vision, objective and set of proposals made under the nine action areas. We call on the European Commission to take over these proposals and to launch a dedicated EU Action Programme to double the use of collective land passenger transport in the EU in the next decade.”