ETF’s take on the Sustainable Urban Mobility Package

17 Nov 2020

Within the European Commission’s Sustainable and Smart Mobility Strategy, there will be a revision of the Sustainable Urban Mobility Package. The Urban Mobility Package was first put forward in 2013. Since then, many new developments have arisen, and the Package will be revised accordingly.

For the ETF, it’s clear that the transport workers of urban mobility cannot be put aside in this revision. We’ve devised a policy highlighting our key demands, our vision of the role of public transport, the role of EU decision-makers and public authorities, our take on Smart Mobility and the need for fair conditions in the sector.

Our policy revolves around three principles: mobility is a citizens’ right, public transport is essential to reach the European climate goals and “People first” also means “public transport workers first”.

While public transport is an indispensable component of a sustainable climate policy, climate protection expectations placed upon public passenger transport can only be fulfilled if sufficient investments are made in:

  • Good remuneration and social standards for employees
  • Qualification, training and continuous training
  • Good working conditions including attractive working time arrangements, enabling work-life-balance
  • Safety and security of passengers and public transport workers
  • Continuous quality improvements in public passenger transport
  • The digital transformation in the sector must be accompanied by a just transition and workers’ participation.

Moreover, on the question of Smart Mobility – Mobility As A Service (MaaS) – New Mobility Services: there needs to be regulation (European, national and local)  to define the conditions for mobility services providers to offer their services under socially fair conditions and ensure fair competition. All services must be accessible, affordable, inclusive, safe and secure and of good quality. If we are to ensure urban mobility as a public service for citizens, the provision of accessible, affordable and inclusive mobility must be a public decision, under public control.

Our full position is available to download at your right.