Yesterday, February 4th 2026, the European Court of Auditors (ECA) published its special report on the effectiveness of the EU’s urban mobility policy. With over 75% of the EU population living in cities and urban transport making up an eighth the EU’s total CO2 emissions, the report clearly recognises the need for a comprehensive European strategy to organise and improve mobility in urban areas. The Court of Auditors also sets out the significant costs of inaction, noting that congestion alone from private cars costs around €180 billion a year.
The Report analyses the effectiveness of the European Commission’s 2021New Urban Mobility Framework, which set out EU action in the field of urban mobility. The cornerstone of this policy is the requirement for cities (so-called “urban nodes”) to adopt Sustainable Urban Mobility Plans (SUMPs). SUMPs are strategic plans, created by cities, that aim to improve mobility and reduce greenhouse gas emissions from urban transport.
ETF has consistently supported this approach from policymakers to support sustainable urban mobility, especially high-quality public transport. ETF believes that public transport is the best means to ensure the fundamental right to mobility, ensuring its accessibility, affordability, safety and inclusiveness.
The Court of Auditors found that the Commission’s efforts since 2021 had largely been successful, especially when linked with the various EU funds that support urban mobility (cohesion policy funds, Connecting Europe Facility, and the Recovery and Resilience facility). Furthermore, in most of the EU-funded urban mobility projects it examined, the Court found that they were mostly in line with the objectives of the relevant SUMPs and generally effective. Finally, the Court concluded that the cities and regions it interviewed were largely happy with the Commission’s numerous initiatives aimed at supporting local authorities to prepare and implement SUMPs. However, the report found shortcomings in monitoring and implementation of SUMPs. Overall, the Court recommended that the Commission increase its support to member states and local authorities.
The Court of Auditors’ report demonstrates a clear need for greater EU action in supporting urban mobility. However, the Commission’s leadership seems to want to go in the opposite direction. Whereas the current long-term EU budget (2021-2027) has a large envelope dedicated to investments in urban and regional mobility, the Commission’s proposal for the 2028-2034 has absolutely no ring-fenced funding for local transport. This is clearly a step in the wrong direction.
Despite its obvious benefits to society as a whole, urban public transport is under threat across Europe, with operational budgets being cut and services reduced. Most worryingly of all, employment quality is also suffering. Understaffing, long and unsociable working hours, and wide-spread violence against workers has led to severe labour shortages, threatening the long-term sustainability of the sector. In urban public transport, ETF has consistently highlighted that service quality for passengers is inextricably linked to the employment quality for workers. Without measures to improve working conditions and service quality, the modal shift from private cars to public transport will remain unattractive for commuters.
The European Commission must swiftly implement the Court of Auditor’s recommendations. However, ETF urges the Commission’s political leadership to go beyond fixing procedural issues and give public transport the priority it deserves. The EU must provide the political drive and financial support to ensure high-quality public transport across Europe.
ETF demands for the EU urban mobility policy are clear:
- Sufficient funding for public transport, both through the EU budget and through the introduction of binding targets for minimum national spending on public transport
- Ensuring the mandatory use of social criteria, including the application of collective bargaining agreements, for the tending and awarding of public transport service contracts
- Enforcing the obligation for local authorities to genuinely consult stakeholders, including public transport unions, when elaborating and implementing SUMPs
- Establishing binding targets at EU, national, regional and local level to double the use of collective transport
