The objective and mandate is to establish a representative public-private High Level Group (HLG) of EU road transport professionals, civil servants, politicians and experts. Together, they will work out policy and business recommendations, and a long term Action Plan on how to substantially increase (double) the number of users of collective passenger transport by road, in particular by bus, coach and taxis, in the next 10-15 years, as a key part of the intermodal transport chain and an optimal alternative to private car use.

Composed of representatives of the EU institutions (MEPs, DG MOVE, CoR, ECOSOC), businessmen (bus, coach, taxi companies and partner transport modes), trade associations (road transport, mobility stakeholders, travel agents, tour organisers), researchers and stakeholders from civil society (trade unions, safety and green NGOs), the HLG consists of maximum 10-15 members, with a possibility to invite ad hoc specific stakeholders for specific topics.

The HLG meets according to needs but, in principle, every 3 months, in Brussels.

The HLG’s expected outcomes are:

a) Policy and business recommendations on the use of collective passenger transport by road;

b) An Action Plan with recommended deadlines, for the period 2013/2015-2030;

c) An open-ended (internet-based, publicly available and renewable) compilation of policy and business best practices.

Calendar: The HLG will operate for a period of up to 12 months. The first meeting was organised on 24 May 2012.

The last meeting will be organised in February/March 2013, where the deliverables (recommendations, long term Action Plan and best practices) shall be approved. An EU public debate on the HLG deliverables will take place in the first half of 2013.

Follow-up: A public-private Advisory Committee may be created to ensure monitoring and follow up, as required.