15.11.12
Public transport should be preferred choice – UITP
A new campaign has launched to promote public transport in cities, to cut carbon and boost the economy.
The International Association of Public Transport (UITP) has launched ‘Grow with Public Transport’ to support its objective of doubling the global market share of public transport by 2025.
By 2025, urban mobility is expected to increase by 50%, compared to 2005 levels. If current trends continue, travel by private motorised vehicles is predicted to rise by almost 80%, with a 30% increase in greenhouse gas emissions.
Public transport can “liberate” cities from congestion, UITP states, and consumes two to three times less energy per passenger than car.
UITP secretary general Alain Flausch said: “With this campaign, we want to change the perception of public transport from a necessary evil to a preferred choice. We want to show its many social, economic and environmental benefits and work towards achieving more and better public transport.
“In order to work towards this goal, we need measures and policies that actively influence citizens’ mobility behaviour as well as integrated urban policies that optimise the benefits of public transport.
“Underpinning all of this is financial stability. This means that the sector needs to diversify its revenue streams, ensure secure funding, enhance efficiency and increase patronage in order to be able to meet increasing demand.”
For more information, visit: http://growpublictransport.org
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