Metropolitan transport authorities will be key to the climate crisis response through the delivery of resilient transport systems and reduced emissions, according to a new report from the Urban Transport Group (UTG).
UTG director Jonathan Bray authored the report for a global public transport body, Union Internationale des Transports Publics (UITP), which was launched on 27 June in Paris.
The report sets out the benefits of metropolitan areas establishing empowered transport authorities and offers guidance to regions considering setting one up.
It also shows how new and existing transport authorities can deliver more sustainable public transport to meet regional and national targets.
It claims this can be achieved through investment in low- and zero-emission vehicle fleets, green energy for public services, encouraging shifts from polluting and carbon intensive transport systems and building cities’ resilience to extreme weather changes resulting from climate change.
With cities now consuming two thirds of global energy consumption, UTG hopes to demonstrate how empowered transport authorities can respond to environmental pressures while continuing to drive national economies.
Another focus of the report is addressing complex challenges while managing finite resources to serve urban areas.
It highlights the importance of balancing spending on maintaining existing infrastructure and expansion, while also facilitating journeys which meet the needs of diverse communities.
It stresses the importance of levelling funding from service users and taxation, and both providing a competitive business model and safeguarding public interests.
Mohamed Mezghani, secretary general of UITP, said: “Public transport will be vital to the recovery of the economy and society in a post-Covid-19 world and in combatting climate change.
“However, these objectives will not be possible without the planning and organisation of strong transport and mobility authorities.
“UITP is excited to participate in this valuable report and we will continue to support the improvement of the governance of urban mobility by promoting the benefits of transport authorities as a way to ensure a thriving, sustainable and resilient transport sector.”
The report has identified four key challenges to the future of urban transport governance.
These include making timely decisions on carbon emissions and resilience; realising consumer benefits of new technologies; offering new mobility models and improving quality of place while ensuring accessibility.
