On UN Public Service Day, the European Transport Workers’ Federation (ETF) recognises the immense contribution of workers in delivering public transport, a vital public service.
Public transport plays a pivotal role in making societies function, promoting social cohesion and enhancing everyone’s quality of life. It is the most sustainable form of transport, easily accessible to all. It helps reduce noise and air pollution and is the most effective way to cut greenhouse gas emissions from mobility.
Public transport is a vital public service that ensures equitable access to jobs, education, and healthcare, particularly for low-income individuals and households without cars, enhancing social inclusion.
The sector provides stable, skilled, and unionised jobs, contributing to decent work and stronger worker protections, particularly in regions where public transport is under strong public control.
Public transportation reduces congestion, noise, air pollution, and greenhouse gas emissions. It improves air quality and public health while enhancing public spaces, thereby improving the quality of life in cities by limiting urban sprawl and promoting efficient land use.
Public transport is vital for economic development and prosperity. Well-developed public systems provide a significant boost to both the retail and tourism industries, increasing foot traffic and consumer spending. Public transport also plays a key role in regional economic development by improving connectivity.
However, the essential role of public transport has too often been taken for granted by politicians, policymakers, and the public. The sector has faced years of underinvestment in both capital and operating budgets. This has placed severe strain on transport systems, many of which are operating at full capacity, and has put unprecedented pressure on public transport workers during a worker shortage crisis.
A recent study from Germany shows that public investment in operating transport services yields significant returns: for every €1 invested, the public receives €3 in value. For example, Germany’s current annual operating budget of €25 billion generates economic benefits worth €75 billion. The study highlights not only the contribution to economic development and prosperity but also the hidden benefits of reducing the external costs of private car use, such as congestion, land consumption, air and noise pollution, and climate impact.
If we look more broadly, UITP research has shown that investment in public transport creates 25% more jobs in the broader economy compared to the same level of investment in roads or highways. Moreover, every €1 invested in public transport generates €4 in broader economic value.
On this UN Public Service Day, we pay tribute to the workers who keep our cities moving, whose labour brings immense value to our quality of life and economic prosperity. It is time for governments everywhere to recognise this and make the smartest possible investment for the future of our economies and our planet: public investment in public transport, in public hands.