The President of the International Association of Public Transport calls on Ministers to bank on public transport
(Thomson Reuters ONE) -
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Brussels, 27 May 2011
The President of the International Association of Public Transport calls on
Ministers to bank on public transport
Alain Flausch, President of the International Association of Public Transport
(UITP), made a resolute plea to governments to take up their responsibilities
yesterday 26 May. He stressed that governments must seize the opportunity to
provide a better urban life for their communities by improving public transport
through stable funding and integrated urban policies.
Speaking yesterday to Ministers from around the globe at the International
Transport Forum Summit, UITP President Alain Flausch called on governments to
act responsibly and reconsider their priorities. As budget allocation and policy
decisions are in their hands, Mr Flausch focused on the opportunity that
political leaders have to improve quality of life in their communities, boost
the economy and make cost savings, by integrating public transport as a priority
in urban policies and allocating stable funding.
"National governments have a critical role to play and plenty of tools to put in
place in support of urban public transport," he told Ministers from over 50
countries, decision-makers, business leaders, top academics and civil society
representatives gathered in Leipzig for the 2011 Summit of the International
Transport Forum (ITF) at the OECD.
A recent UITP study on mobility* shows that, with 60% of the world's population
living in urban areas in 2025, daily trips in urban areas will increase by 50%
compared to 2005 levels. If current trends persist, private motorised trips will
increase by 80%, bringing with them all the associated risks of urban transport
externalities, such as CO2 emissions, traffic fatalities and congestion.
Another future is possible. If governments take up the 'PTx2' challenge,
promoted by UITP, of doubling the public transport market share worldwide by
2025, it would be possible to decouple the growth of urban mobility from the
growth of its environmental and societal costs.
In such a scenario:
* urban transport energy consumption would be reduced by 170 million tons oil
equivalent;
* it would be possible to avoid emissions of around 550 million tons CO2
equivalent;
* urban traffic fatalities would be reduced by 15%;
* the risk of obesity and coronary diseases would be reduced by 50%.
Giving priority to public transport contributes to a better quality of life in
urban areas.
In order for public transport to thrive and for individuals and communities to
reap the benefits, the following combination must be put in place: a new
business culture; lifestyle services; adequate and stable funding; integration
of public transport with other urban policies; and implementation of demand
management strategies.
The annual ITF Summit was also the occasion to honour the winner of the
Transport Achievement Award (26 May): UITP member Arriva Skandinavien, part of
the Arriva Group owned by Deutsche Bahn, was rewarded for its 'Better Bus Ride'
Project. A special mention also went to another UITP member, Istanbul
Electricity, Tram and Tunnel, Turkey, for the design and implementation of a bus
rapid transit system (BRT).
* http://ptx2uitp.org/sites/default/files/leaflet_ptx2_LR.pdf
***
Notes to the Editors
The International Association of Public Transport (UITP) is the international
network of public transport authorities and operators, policy decision-makers,
scientific institutes and the public transport supply and service industry. It
is a platform for worldwide cooperation, business development and the sharing of
know-how between its 3,400 members from 92 countries. UITP is the global
advocate of public transport and sustainable mobility, and the promoter of
innovations in the sector. Visit our website www.uitp.org
The International Transport Forum (ITF) is a strategic think tank for the
transport sector. Each year, it brings together Ministers from over 50
countries, along with leading decision-makers and actors from the private
sector, civil society and research, to address transport issues of strategic
importance. An intergovernmental organisation linked to the OECD, the Forum's
goal is to help shape the transport policy agenda, and ensure that it
contributes to economic growth, environmental protection, social inclusion and
the preservation of human life and wellbeing.
Press Contact: Sarah D'Angelo | UITP Press Junior Manager
Direct phone: +32 (0)2 6636639 | Fax: +32 (0)2 6601072 |sarah.dangelo(at)uitp.org
UITP-ITF:
http://hugin.info/143768/R/1519427/455918.doc
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Source: UITP - International Association of Public Transport via Thomson Reuters ONE
[HUG#1519427]
Unternehmensinformation / Kurzprofil:
Datum: 27.05.2011 - 10:53 Uhr
Sprache: Deutsch
News-ID 55080
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Kategorie:
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