Digital Transformation and Social Dialogue in Urban Public Transport

14 Oct 2020

AN INCLUSIVE AND PARTICIPATORY SOCIAL DIALOGUE IS KEY FOR PRO-ACTIVELY SHAPING THE DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION IN URBAN PUBLIC TRANSPORT IN EUROPE

European Social Partners in urban public transport, ETF and UITP are happy to announce the publication of the final report of their joint project “Digital transformation and social dialogue in Urban Public Transport in Europe”. The report is available in 7 languages (EN, ES, FR, DE, HU, IT, PL)

This report summarises results of a study that was elaborated to support the joint project of UITP and ETF that started in February 2019. The findings provided in this report are based on desk research and the evaluation of a broad range of information on the digital transformation of urban public transport and the role of social dialogue in this context.

The digital transformation of the UPT sector is an on-going process and the Covid 19 pandemic even accelerated digitalisation and so-called smart working practices. The current developments due to the digital transformation will have both facilitating and disruptive effects on future urban mobility. Digitalisation and automation has an impact on jobs, working conditions, professions and skills.

New technologies can create labour, replace labour, intensify labour, change labour, facilitate labour and re-organise labour. The objective of the project was to get a better understanding of the technological developments taking place in UTP and their impact on employment, working conditions, professions and skills. Four areas were chosen for deeper analysis: operations, maintenance, HR Management and work organization as well as customer services including the development of MaaS.

It is of the utmost importance that both social partners at all levels contribute to shaping this digital future. This process needs to be managed and planned and must be inclusive and participatory from the very beginning to better anticipate, prepare and manage digital transformation. This process should guarantee a just transition and ensure that no worker is left behind.

This study delivers a solid overview and background information and is the basis for our negotiations of joint recommendations to the social partners and our policy recommendations to political decision-makers and competent authorities.