Taken from information released by International Association of Public Transport (UITP). Its EU Committee has just issued a list of concrete actions designed to help EU institutions, member states, and local and regional governments implement sustainable urban transport policies.
More use of public transport saves money
Modal shift from private to public transport will contribute to a significant reduction in the €560 billion annual cost of road accidents, congestion, energy consumption and pollution in the EU, thus releasing funds for economic development.
Better public transport creates jobs and investment
Public transport is a catalyst for economic and social opportunities that contribute to efficiency and productivity in Europe's urban areas where most of the wealth is created.
Research by the University of Cologne indicates that every €1 billion invested in public transport infrastructure results in a direct employment benefit of 20,000 person-years. Every €1 invested in public transport has an economic benefit to society of €1,50.
A more efficent economy
Efficient use of urban space is critical for wealth creation and yet huge amounts of valuable land are allocated to parking for cars used for the journey to work, which, on average consumes 20 times more space than the same journey made by bus or tram.
Cities where more than half the people regularly use public transport spend less than 7% of GDP on journeys made by their inhabitants. The economic cost of transport doubles in sprawling cities where 90% of journeys are made by car and more than 14% of GDP is spent on urban mobility.
See UITP news release
"Public transport is the key solution to urban problems in the European Union," stated Roberto Cavalieri, Chair of the EU Committee. "It is the safest means of land transport, consumes less energy, uses less road space and is less damaging to the urban environment.
"The economic implications of a modal shift to public transport are considerable," continued Mr Cavalieri. "They range from the potential for huge reductions in the annual cost of road accidents, a more judicious use of urban space that is so critical for wealth creation, to economic and social opportunities that contribute to the efficiency and productivity of urban areas, where most wealth is generated."
