FOLLOWING the inaugural World Public Transport Day on April 17, the International Association of Public Transport (UITP) has issued a declaration urging decision-makers to recognise public transport as a strategic asset and to provide it with sustained, long-term funding.
UITP says the activities held in cities around the world on April 17 highlight how investment in public transport improves accessibility, reduces emissions, and enhances the quality of life in cities.
The association is now calling for decision-makers to commit to provide public transport with the resources it needs to deliver improved mobility to citizens by:
- ensuring stable and predictable funding frameworks that are protected from short-term changes
- maintaining and modernising infrastructure
- protecting affordability for passengers, and
- strengthening system resilience against economic and energy shocks.
“Our sector is not only seeking support - we are also actively doing our part: innovating, improving, and remaining steadfast in our commitment to serve people and communities,” UITP says.
“The message from the very first World Public Transport Day is clear: investing in public transport is investing in people, in communities, and in the future of our planet.”
Events worldwide
UITP announced the first World Public Transport Day at the United Nations (UN) in December. The day is part of the UN’s Decade of Sustainable Transport and will be celebrated annually on April 17.
Highlights of the inaugural event included illuminating the world’s tallest building, the Burj Khalifa in Dubai, and Niagara Falls in World Public Transport Day colours, along with free travel on several networks, additional services, community engagement campaigns and sustainability initiatives. With 86 million social media impressions and 2.1 billion media impressions, UITP says that the first World Public Transport Day has been successful across the globe.
“Seeing the celebrations for World Public Transport Day has shown that the global community has come together behind one goal: celebrating public transport and the benefits it brings us,” says Mohamed Mezghani, UITP secretary general. “Public transport is not just a vital service, it is an investment in our collective future and to deliver its full potential, it must be supported as a priority at the highest political level.”
