POLIS, EMTA, and UITP organise strategic dialogue on ticketing in urban and regional transport
POLIS, EMTA, and UITP co-organised a Strategic Dialogue on Ticketing in Urban and Regional Transport at the European Parliament on Tuesday, 3 June. Representatives from the European Commission and Members and advisors of the European Parliament discussed with us how EU policy can support easier cross-border travel and further strengthen the integration of metropolitan public transport systems that serve millions of journeys undertaken by citizens and visitors within Europe’s functional urban areas every day.
We welcomed the input from the European Commission, which confirmed the ambition to include all rail services - including urban and regional trains - in the scope of upcoming legislation (SDBTR and MDMS). The event provided a valuable opportunity for an open discussion on the challenges and risks the undifferentiated inclusion of local rail services may impose on local and transport authorities. It also enabled an exploration of the opportunities that a more targeted scope in this legislation could open for stronger multimodal transport integration going forward.
Local realities must shape the future of EU ticketing legislation
Insight from association members showed that while legislation aimed at open ticketing may have good intentions, it does not in itself address the complexities of local transport markets. Moreover, efforts toward the opening of ticketing systems come at a significant cost for public authorities. Experience from Finland shows that these significant investments do not lead to increased sales, improved accessibility or greater availability of services, as local transport very seldom provides commercial opportunities.
Legislation targeted at solving the real challenges faced in long-distance travel in Europe must not inadvertently disrupt integrated public transport networks, but rather recognise and protect such local coordination. While we acknowledge that determining the appropriate scope of legislation in this regard is complex, we want to emphasise the importance of safeguarding regional and local integration where it exists. Otherwise, such legislation risks undermining the existing integrated public transport systems that form the efficient, resilient and sustainable mobility backbone of successful urban areas.
This Strategic Dialogue marks the beginning of what we hope will be a constructive process with the EU institutions to find a clear and effective scope for these upcoming initiatives.
POLIS, EMTA, and UITP will continue to join efforts and remain available for exchange with all institutions and stakeholders to ensure that future legislation supports, rather than complicates, the transport realities in cities and their interconnected metropolitan regions.
