Delivering the objectives of the Sustainable and Smart Mobility Strategy:
Prioritising modal shift and strengthening the public transport sector.
20 January 2021
The association of European Passenger Transport Operators (EPTO) welcomes the publication of the Sustainable and Smart Mobility Strategy, aiming at creating a more resilient transport sector and a more sustainable future for Europeans.
It is vital that the EU and its member states build back better and greener, focusing on initiatives which will benefit the economy and the environment for generations to come. This includes creating truly sustainable mobility across the EU.
EPTO strongly supports the objective of decarbonising the transport sector and looks forward to working in partnership with stakeholders to help create a better, smarter, and greener future for transport.
To do so, the policy initiatives set out in the Strategy must:
Deliver modal shift and promote sustainable transport (public transport, active modes of travel)
Strengthen public transport by facilitating decarbonisation of the sector and through changes to fuel taxation
Lead to a common approach to regulating MaaS offerings, ensuring that public transport modes continue to be the backbone of European mobility at local and regional level
To achieve the EU’s climate objectives, and to successfully reduce transport emissions, ‘sustainable transport’ is key. The EU should therefore define sustainable transport not only by a mode’s emissions per passenger/km, but also by its contribution to reducing congestion and improving urban environments, creating more liveable and greener spaces. The objectives of economic regeneration and social equity must not be ignored either.
Facilitating Modal Shift
EPTO strongly supports the objective of decarbonising the transport sector but believes that there is a fundamental requirement to address modal shift before truly realising the benefits of decarbonisation.
Currently, the modal share is not reflective of a move towards increased sustainability. The car represents 83% with bus and rail only representing around 8% of the modal share each (EEA data, 2019). Cities and towns face the challenge of reducing congestion and pollution, whilst at the same time being in a position to improve and enhance mobility. Substituting diesel and petrol cars with electric cars will not help solve the challenge of congestion. Neither do electric cars extend social mobility across all members of society.
Policy measures arising from the Strategy must therefore be centred around achieving modal shift to deliver a truly sustainable transport system across the EU.
Using actions set out in the Strategy to encourage modal shift:
Revision of the Urban Mobility Package: the setting and deployment of sustainable urban mobility plans should be mandated.
Internalisation of external costs: a “polluter and user pays” principle should be introduced, which takes into account all pollution and emissions per passenger/km, created at the source and by the vehicle itself, as well as the vehicle’s contribution to congestion in urban environments.
Review of PSO Regulation guidelines and fair competition: continued focus should be given to ensuring that competition for and in public transport markets develops as intended, creating more passenger-focused transport offers.
Strengthening the public transport sector
The Commission must focus on creating truly sustainable transport networks, not only at cross-border level or on the TEN-T network, but also at regional and local level. This will help towns and cities across Europe to contribute significantly to the EU’s climate targets, whilst providing more liveable and greener spaces for their citizens. To ensure that the regional and local transport networks are sustainable and reliable, the public transport sector should be strengthened and supported, particularly in light of the impact the pandemic has had on the sector.
Actions set out in the Strategy should therefore lead to policy measures that will strengthen the public transport sector and enable it to be a modern and efficient backbone of local and national, multi-modal mobility strategies.
Using actions set out in the Strategy that to help strengthen the public transport sector:
Revision of the Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Directive: national targets for the deployment of alternative fuels recharging/refuelling for public transport vehicles should be set, supporting the sector in delivering the targets for the deployment of clean vehicles as set out in the Clean Vehicles Directive.
Revision of the Energy Taxation Directive: taxation on alternative fuels used for public transport services should be reduced, facilitating the transition to cleaner fleets.
Revision of the Driving Licence Directive: The minimum driver age for bus passenger transport should be lowered to 21, whilst training and qualifications should be harmonised across the EU.
Establishing a common approach to Open Data and MaaS
Public transport can be made more efficient and more convenient through digitalisation. By accessing data, operators have the opportunity to develop services which are centred around the passenger’s needs, creating a tailored public transport service which then becomes more convenient and attractive.
However, a clear framework for access to and sharing of data must be set, supporting the development of services and guaranteeing fair access to appropriate datasets. This should include a regulatory framework for MaaS, ensuring that MaaS offerings encourage sustainable mobility before relying on cars for door-to-door journeys.
Using actions set out in the Strategy to foster the digitalisation of transport:
Smart Mobility: Future regulation should ensure that MaaS offerings are mode neutral but take into account emissions per passenger/km. In addition, disincentives should be put in place for modes which add to congestion in urban environments.