POLIS contributes to TRAN Committee's brief on relaunching transport and tourism in the EU after COVID-19

POLIS has participated in the creation of a thematic briefing for the European Parliament’s Committee on Transport and Tourism (TRAN). The study presents an overview of the repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic on the public transport sector and policy recommendations to address the challenges arising from the crisis.

The COVID-19 pandemic has seriously decreased ridership across public transport networks. Since the pandemic outbreak, the public transport sector has lost 40-70% of passengers. Innovative solutions are thus urgently needed to relaunch the sector and move forward.

POLIS has happily contributed to a study for the European Parliament's TRAN Committee: "Relaunching transport and tourism in the EU after COVID-19 - Part VI: Public Transport". The study, created in collaboration with TRElab and Panteia, is structured around four key topics: the impacts of COVID-19 on public transport, rebuilding confidence in the sector, opportunities and innovations for post-pandemic scenarios, and last but not least, recommendations for EU policy-makers.

Some of the key findings include:

• The ridership level compared to pre-COVID levels is around 60-70% in many European cities.
• Integration between public transport, walking, and cycling is key to delivering competitive service levels.
• The increased demand for flexible public transport services can boost the systematic consideration of vulnerable users.
• Monitoring mobility patterns can support effective government decision-making, management and operations, providing public transport operators and public transport authorities with evidence-based decision making.
• Authorities should support the implementation of public transport-related infrastructural projects more systematically.

You can read the full study here