Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions - Action Plan on Urban Mobility {SEC(2009) 1211} {SEC(2009) 1212}
Date: 2009-09-23
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: EU action, air quality, new technology, public transport, sustainable development, transport infrastructure, transport policy, transport safety, urban transport

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COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES 

Brussels, 30.9.2009 
COM(2009) 490 final 

COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE EUROPEAN 
PARLIAMENT, THE COUNCIL, THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL 
COMMITTEE AND THE COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS 

Action Plan on Urban Mobility 

{SEC(2009) 1211} 
{SEC(2009) 1212} 

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COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE EUROPEAN 
PARLIAMENT, THE COUNCIL, THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL 
COMMITTEE AND THE COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS 

Action Plan on Urban Mobility 

1. 

Introduction 

In 2007, 72%1 of the European population lived in urban areas, which are key to growth and 
employment. Cities need efficient transport systems to support their economy and the welfare 
of  their  inhabitants.  Around  85%  of  the  EU’s  GDP  is  generated  in  cities.  Urban  areas  face 
today  the  challenge  of  making  transport  sustainable  in  environmental  (CO2,  air  pollution, 
noise)  and  competitiveness  (congestion)  terms  while  at  the  same  time  addressing  social 
concerns. These range from the need to respond to health problems and demographic trends, 
fostering  economic  and  social  cohesion  to  taking  into  account  the  needs  of  persons  with 
reduced mobility, families and children.  

Urban mobility is of growing concern to citizens. Nine out of ten EU citizens believe that the 
traffic situation in their area should be improved2. The choices that people make in the way 
they travel will affect not only future urban development but also the economic well-being of 
citizens and companies. It will also be essential for the success of the EU’s overall strategy to 
combat climate change, achieve the 20-20-20 objective3 and to promote cohesion. 

Urban  mobility  is  also  a  central  component  of  long-distance  transport.  Most  transport,  both 
passengers and freight, starts and ends in urban areas and passes through several urban areas 
on its way. Urban areas should provide efficient interconnection points for the trans-European 
transport  network  and  offer  efficient  ‘last  mile’  transport  for  both  freight  and  passengers. 
They are thus vital to the competitiveness and sustainability of our future European transport 
system. 

The Commission’s recent Communication on a sustainable future for transport4 has identified 
urbanisation  and  its  impacts  on  transport  as  one  of  the  main  challenges  in  making  the 
transport system more sustainable. It calls for effective and coordinated action to address the 
challenge of urban mobility and suggests a framework at EU level to make it easier for local 
authorities to take measures. 

The responsibility for urban mobility policies lies primarily with local, regional and national 
authorities. Nevertheless, decisions adopted at local level are not taken in isolation but within 
the  framework  provided  by  national,  regional  and  EU  policy  and  legislation.  Therefore  the 
Commission  believes  that  much  is  to  be  gained  from  working  together  in  order  to  support 
action at local, regional and national levels and to provide for a  partnership approach  while 
fully respecting the different competences and responsibilities of all actors involved.  

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4 

United Nations, World Urbanization Prospects: The 2007 Revision. 
Attitudes on issues related to EU Transport Policy. Flash Eurobarometer 206b, July 2007. 
Presidency Conclusions of the Brussels European Council (8/9 March 2007). 
COM (2009) 279. 

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The  consultation  and  debate  that  followed  the  publication  of  the  Green  Paper  on  Urban 
Mobility5  confirmed  and  clarified  the  added  value  of  action  at  EU  level6.  This  Action  Plan 
builds  on  the  suggestions  made  by  stakeholders,  citizens  individually  and  through  their 
representative groupings, and European institutions and bodies.  

The  European  Parliament  adopted  a  Resolution  on  the  Green  Paper  on  9  July  20087  and  an 
own-initiative Report on an Action Plan on Urban Mobility on 23 April 20098. The European 
Economic and Social Committee adopted its Opinion on the Green Paper on 29 May 20089 
and the Committee of the Regions did so on 9 April 200810. The Committee of the Regions 
adopted an Opinion on the European Parliament’s Report on 21 April 200911. The Council has 
also held discussions on this subject12.  

Drawing on the consultation following the presentation of the Green Paper, this Action Plan 
sets out a coherent framework for EU initiatives in the area of urban mobility while respecting 
the principle of subsidiarity. It will do this by encouraging and supporting the development of 
sustainable  urban  mobility  policies  that  help  to  achieve  general  EU  objectives,  for  example 
through  fostering  the  exchange  of  best  practice  and  providing  funding.  The  Commission  is 
conscious  that  urban  areas  across  the  EU  may  face  different  challenges,  depending  on  their 
geographic location, their size or their relative wealth. It has no intention of prescribing one-
size-fits-all or top-down solutions.  

The  Action  Plan  proposes  short-  and  medium-term  practical  actions  to  be  launched 
progressively from now until 2012, addressing specific issues related to urban mobility in an 
integrated  way.  The  Commission  offers  a  partnership  to  local,  regional  and  national 
authorities  based  on  their  voluntary  commitment  to  co-operate  in  selected  areas  of  mutual 
concern.  It  invites  also  other  stakeholders  in  the  Member  States,  citizens  and  industry,  to 
closely co-operate, paying particular attention to the mobility needs of vulnerable groups such 
as elderly, low-income groups and persons with disabilities, whose mobility is reduced due to 
a physical, intellectual or sensory disability or impairment, or as a result of age.  

2.  What role for the EU? 

Urban transport systems are integral elements of the European transport system and as such 
an  integral  part  of  the  Common  Transport  Policy  under  Articles  70  to  80  EC  Treaty.  In 
addition, other EU policies (cohesion policy, environment policy, health policy, etc.) cannot 
achieve  their  objectives  without  taking  into  account  urban  specificities,  including  urban 
mobility. 

In  recent  years,  EU  policy  and  legislation  relevant  to  urban  mobility  has  been  developed. 
Significant funding has been provided through the Structural and Cohesion Funds. EU-funded 
initiatives,  often  supported  by  the  Framework  Programmes  for  research  and  technological 

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COM(2007) 551. 
For a summary of the results of the consultation see: 
http://ec.europa.eu/transport/urban/urban_mobility/green_paper/green_paper_en.htm. 
INI/2008/2041. 
INI/2008/2217. 
TEN/320 - CESE 982/2008. 
CdR 236/2007. 
CdR 417/2008. 
http://www.ue2008.fr/PFUE/site/PFUE/lang/en/reunion_informelle_des_ministres_des_transports.html. 

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development,  have  helped  to  develop  a  wealth  of  innovative  approaches.  EU-wide 
dissemination  and  replication  of  these  approaches  can  enable  public  authorities  to  achieve 
more, better and at lower cost.  

Developing  efficient  transport  systems  in  urban  areas  has  become  an  increasingly  complex 
task with both congested cities and greater urban sprawl. Public authorities have an essential 
role  in  providing  the  planning,  the  funding  and  the  regulatory  framework.  The  EU  can 
stimulate  authorities  at  local,  regional  and  national  level  to  adopt  the  long-term  integrated 
policies that are very much needed in complex environments. 

The  EU  can  also  help  authorities  to  find  solutions  that  are  interoperable  and  facilitate 
smoother  functioning  of  the  Single  Market.  Compatible  rules,  schemes  and  technologies 
facilitate  implementation  and  enforcement.  Agreeing  standards  for  the  whole  of  the  Single 
Market enables larger volume production, lowering the cost for the customer.  

Urban  areas  are  becoming  laboratories  for  technological  and  organisational  innovation, 
changing patterns of mobility and new funding solutions. The EU has an interest in sharing 
innovative solutions of local policies for the benefit of transport operators and citizens alike 
and  to  ensure  the  efficiency  of  the  European  transport  system  through  effective  integration, 
interoperability and interconnection. In this context, industry has a key contribution to make 
to the solution of the future challenges. 

Finally,  sustainable  urban  mobility  is  of  growing  importance  for  the  relationships  with  our 
neighbours and for the global society, which is becoming increasingly concentrated in urban 
agglomerations. Successful action under this Action Plan can help all actors in the EU and its 
industry  to  actively  shape  a  future  global  society  focused  on  citizens’  needs,  harmonious 
living, quality of life and sustainability. 

3. 

A programme of actions to support sustainable urban mobility 

The  actions  proposed  are  centred  on  six  themes  responding  to  the  main  messages  that 
emerged from the Green Paper consultation. They will be implemented through existing EU 
programmes  and  instruments.  The  actions  complement  each  other  and  other  EU  initiatives. 
Annex 1 presents an overview of the actions, including their timing. 

Theme 1 — Promoting integrated policies 

An  integrated  approach  can  best  deal  with  the  complexity  of  urban  transport  systems,  the 
governance  issues  and  the  links  between  cities  and  their  surrounding  areas  or  regions,  the 
interdependence between transport modes, the limitations within urban space and the role of 
urban  systems  in  the  wider  European  transport  system.  An  integrated  approach  is  not  only 
needed  for  the  development  of  transport  infrastructure  and  services,  but  also  for  policy 
making  to  link  transport  with  environment  protection13,  healthy  environments,  land  use 
planning,  housing,  social  aspects  of  accessibility  and  mobility  as  well  as  industrial  policy. 
Developing  strategic,  integrated  transport  planning,  establishing  appropriate  mobility 
planning  organisations  and  setting  realistic  targets  are  essential  to  address  the  long-term 
challenges  of  urban  mobility,  while  supporting  also  cooperation  with  and  between  transport 
operators.  

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For example ensuring coherence between sustainable urban mobility plans and air quality plans which 
are prepared in the framework of EU air quality legislation. 

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Action 1 — Accelerating the take-up of sustainable urban mobility plans 

In  the  short  term,  following  up  the  Thematic  Strategy  on  the  Urban  Environment14,  the 
Commission  will  support  local  authorities  in  developing  sustainable  urban  mobility  plans 
covering  freight  and  passenger  transport  in  urban  and  peri-urban  areas.  It  will  provide 
guidance  material,  promote  best  practice  exchange,  identify  benchmarks,  and  support 
educational  activities  for  urban  mobility  professionals.  In  the  longer  term,  the  Commission 
could take further steps, for example through incentives and recommendations.  

Whenever possible, the Commission will encourage Member States to provide platforms for 
mutual  learning  and  sharing  of  experiences  and  best  practices  that  would  foster  the 
development  of  sustainable  urban mobility policies. The Commission will  also  introduce an 
urban  mobility  dimension  in  the  Covenant  of  Mayors15  in  order  to  promote  an  integrated 
approach  linking  energy  and  climate  change  with  transport.  It  will  encourage  the 
incorporation  of  transport  and  mobility  issues  in  the  Sustainable  Energy  Action  Plans  to  be 
prepared by the cities participating in the Covenant.  

Action 2 — Sustainable urban mobility and regional policy 

To increase awareness of the funding available from the Structural and Cohesion Funds and 
the  European  Investment  Bank,  the  Commission  envisages  issuing  information  on  the  link 
between sustainable urban mobility measures and regional policy objectives under the current 
Community  and  national  framework  conditions.  It  will  address  the  wider  framework  for 
sustainable  urban  development  as  well  as  the  link  between  urban  transport  and  the  trans-
European transport network. The Commission will also list funding opportunities and explain 
the application of State aid and public procurement rules.  

Action 3 — Transport for healthy urban environments 

Sustainable urban transport can play a role in creating healthy environments and contribute to 
reducing  non-communicable  diseases  such  as  respiratory  diseases,  cardiovascular  diseases 
and  injury  prevention.  The  Commission  supports  the  development  of  partnerships  towards 
healthy environments and will explore, in the context of its work on public health, notably in 
the  implementation  of  the  strategies  on  nutrition,  overweight  and  obesity,  environment  and 
health,  injury  prevention  and  cancer,  further  synergies  between  public  health  and  transport 
policy. 

Theme 2 — Focusing on citizens 

High quality and affordable public transport is the backbone of a sustainable urban transport 
system. Reliability, information, safety and ease of access are vital for attractive bus, metro, 
tram and trolleybus services, rail or ships. Community legislation already regulates large parts 
of  public  transport  investment  and  operations16.  Transparent  contracts  have  widespread 
benefits  and  can  stimulate  innovation  in  services  and  technology.  Ensuring  a  high  level  of 
protection of passenger rights, including of passengers with reduced mobility, is also high on 

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COM(2005) 718. 
www.eumayors.eu. 
Regulation  (EC)  No  1370/2007  on  public  transport  and  Directives  2004/17/EC  and  2004/18/EC  on 
public procurement. 

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the  Commission’s  agenda.  Legislation  is  in  place  for  rail  services17  and  has  recently  been 
proposed for bus and coach services18 as well as for maritime and inland waterway services19. 

Action 4 — Platform on passenger rights in urban public transport 

The  Commission  will  moderate  a  dialogue  with  stakeholders,  including  organisations 
representing operators, authorities, employees and user groups, in order to identify EU-wide 
best  practices  and  conditions  for  strengthening  passenger  rights  in  urban  public  transport. 
Building  on  sectoral  initiatives  and  complementing  the  Commission’s  regulatory  approach, 
the  aim  is  to  put  a  set  of  ambitious  voluntary  commitments  in  place,  including  quality 
indicators,  commitments  to  protect  the  rights  of  travellers  and  of  persons  with  reduced 
mobility as well as commonly agreed complaint procedures, and reporting mechanisms.  

Action 5 — Improving accessibility for persons with reduced mobility 

Persons with disabilities have the right of access to urban transport on equal terms with the 
rest  of  the  population  but  in  reality  access  is  often  insufficient  and  sometimes  non-existent. 
Considerable  achievements  have  been made,  for example  on the use  of low platform  buses. 
Other  modes  of  public  transport  such  as  subways  remain  often  largely  inaccessible.  The 
United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, signed since 2007 by 
the European Community and all Member States, contains clear obligations.  

Article 9 states "Parties shall take appropriate measures to ensure to persons with disabilities 
access, on an equal basis with others, to (…) transportation, both in urban and in rural areas". 
The  Commission  will  work  with  Member  States  to  achieve  full  compliance  with  these 
obligations  by  including  the  urban  mobility  dimension  in  the  EU  Disability  Strategy  2010-
2020 and by developing appropriate quality indicators and reporting mechanisms. It will also 
support further targeted activities under FP7. 

Action 6 — Improving travel information 

The Commission will work with public transport operators and authorities on facilitating the 
provision of travel information through different media, including information addressing the 
needs  of  disabled  persons.  It  will  also  support  the  development  of  national  and  regional 
multimodal  journey  planners,  and  links  between  existing  planners,  with  the  ultimate  aim  of 
providing users with a public transport travel portal at EU level on the internet. There will be 
a  particular  focus  on  the  main  nodes  in  the  TEN-T  network  and  their  local  and  regional 
connections.  

Action 7 — Access to green zones  

The  Commission  will  launch  a  study  on  the  different  access  rules  for  the  different  types  of 
green zones across the EU in order to improve knowledge on how the different systems work 
in practice. On the basis of the study results, the Commission will facilitate the exchange of 
good practices.  

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Regulation (EC) No 1371/2007 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 October 2007 on 
rail passengers’ rights and obligations. 
COM(2008) 817. 
COM(2008) 816. 

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Action 8 — Campaigns on sustainable mobility behaviour 

Education,  information  and  awareness-raising  campaigns  play  an  important  role  in  the 
creation  of  a  new  culture  for  urban  mobility.  The  Commission  will  continue  to  support  the 
organisation  of  campaigns  at  all  levels,  including  the  European  Mobility  Week.  For  the 
European  Mobility  Week,  the  Commission  will  optimise  the  existing  award  scheme  and 
consider a special award to encourage the adoption of sustainable urban mobility plans. 

Action 9 — Energy-efficient driving as part of driving education  

Energy-efficient driving is already a mandatory part of the training and testing of professional 
drivers. The Commission will discuss with Member States, within the regulatory committee 
on driving licences, if and how energy-efficient driving could be included in driving tests for 
private  drivers,  and  will  consider  follow-up  actions  and  give  respective  support.  This  topic 
will also be addressed in the next Road Safety Action Programme. 

Theme 3 — Greening urban transport  

Environmentally friendly policies have been introduced in many cities across the EU. Action 
at EU level can help to strengthen markets for new, clean vehicle technologies and alternative 
fuels. This will directly support EU industry, promote healthy environments and contribute to 
the recovery of the European economy. By making users pay for the external costs which they 
cause (environmental, congestion and other costs) according to the polluter pays principle, the 
internalisation of external costs can encourage transport users to switch over time to cleaner 
vehicles or transport modes, to use less congested infrastructure or to travel at different times. 
EC rules on the charging of heavy goods vehicles for the use of infrastructure20 do not prevent 
the  non-discriminatory  application  of  regulatory  charges  in  urban  areas  to  reduce  traffic 
congestion and environmental impacts.  

Action 10 — Research and demonstration projects for lower and zero emission vehicles 

The  Commission  will  continue  its  support  for  research  and  demonstration  projects  funded 
through  the  Seventh  Framework  Programme  for  research  and  technological  development 
(FP7) to facilitate the market introduction of lower and zero emission vehicles and alternative 
fuels, aiming to reduce dependency on fossil fuels. This was done, for example, through the 
CIVITAS Initiative21 as well as projects on the use of hydrogen, biofuels and hybrid vehicles 
in urban transport.  

In  the  framework  of  the  European  Economic  Recovery  Plan,  the  Commission  has  launched 
the European Green Cars Initiative22. In 2009, the Commission will fund new projects related 
to  electric  vehicles,  which  will  cover  batteries,  electric  power  trains  and  auxiliaries, 
information and communication technologies and an "electromobility" demonstration project. 
This project will focus on electric vehicles and related infrastructure in urban areas and it will 
integrate national initiatives and support the standardisation of recharging infrastructure.  

Action 11 — Internet guide on clean and energy-efficient vehicles 

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Directive 1999/62/EC and the Commission’s proposal for the revision of the directive on the charging 
of heavy goods vehicles for the use of infrastructure - COM(2008) 433. 
www.civitas.eu. 
http://ec.europa.eu/research/transport/info/green_cars_initiative_en.html.  

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The  Commission  will  continue  to  develop  an  internet-based  guide  on  clean  and  energy-
efficient vehicles, including an overview of the market, legislation and support schemes. The 
website  will  also  provide  support  for  the  joint  procurement  of  vehicles  for  public  services 
while  market  developments  will  be  monitored  to  preserve  competition.  This  service  will 
facilitate the implementation of the new Directive on clean and energy-efficient vehicles23.  

Action 12 — Study on urban aspects of the internalisation of external costs 

Once  the  EU  framework  for  internalisation  of  external  costs  is  established,  and  taking  into 
account the conclusions of the debate launched by the Communication on a sustainable future 
for transport, the Commission will launch a methodological study on the urban aspects of the 
internalisation.  The  study  will  look  at  the  effectiveness  and  efficiency  of  various  pricing 
solutions, including implementation issues such as public acceptability, social consequences, 
cost recovery, availability of ITS (intelligent transport systems) tools and how urban pricing 
policies and other green zone arrangements can be effectively combined.  

Action 13 — Information exchange on urban pricing schemes 

The  Commission  will  facilitate  information  exchange  among  experts  and  policy-makers  on 
urban pricing schemes in the EU. This will  use input from  existing initiatives24 and include 
information  on  consultation  processes,  scheme  design,  information  provision  to  citizens, 
public acceptance, operating costs and revenue, technological aspects and the impact on the 
environment. The conclusions will feed into the Commission’s work on the internalisation of 
external costs. 

Theme 4 — Strengthening funding 

To  reap  the  benefits  of  sustainable  urban  mobility,  investment  is  often  needed  in 
infrastructure,  vehicles,  new  technologies,  improved  services,  etc.  Most  of  the  expense  is 
covered by local, regional or national sources. Local sources of funding are diverse and can 
include local taxes, passenger transport charges, parking fees, green zone charges and urban 
pricing, and private funding. The growing needs for funding complex transport systems and 
the  likely  decrease  in  the  availability  of  public  financing  are  the  main  challenges  for  the 
future. The use of EU funding, including European Investment Bank instruments, can provide 
significant incentives and help leverage private funds. In the short term, the Commission can 
help  authorities  and  stakeholders  to  explore  existing  funding  opportunities  and  develop 
innovative public-private partnership schemes. 

Action 14 — Optimising existing funding sources  

The  Structural  and  Cohesion  Funds,  with  over  8  billion  euros  allocated  to  clean  urban 
transport during the current financial planning period, are a very important EU funding source 
for investment in infrastructure and rolling stock. Under the "Transport theme" of FP7 there 
is, for the first time, a priority area dedicated to sustainable urban mobility. The Commission 
will,  in  addition  to  its  ongoing  activities,  consider  new  targeted  RTD  and  demonstration 
activities relevant for urban mobility. 

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Directive 2009/33/EC. 
For example www.curacaoproject.eu. 

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The Commission will maintain its support for STEER, the sub-programme under Intelligent 
Energy  Europe25  which  deals  with  the  energy  aspects  of  transport,  and  URBACT26.  The 
Information & Communication Technologies Policy Support Programme can offer support to 
pilot projects addressing urban mobility. Finally, funding has been allocated to urban mobility 
actions in priority areas of the Green Paper on urban mobility, following a call for proposals 
launched in 2008.  

Action 15 — Analysing the needs for future funding  

The  Commission  will  continue  to  financially  support  the  successful  CIVITAS  Initiative 
beyond the third generation of projects that started in 2008. It has launched a review to define 
the  most  appropriate  way  forward  to  a  CIVITAS  FUTURA.  It  will  also  examine  the  future 
funding needs that urban mobility improvements involve as part of its overall reflection on the 
next multi-annual financial framework. 

Theme 5 — Sharing experience and knowledge  

The  Commission  will  help  stakeholders  capitalise  on  existing  experience  and  support  the 
exchange  of  information,  in  particular  on  model  schemes  developed  through  Community 
programmes.  Action  at  EU  level  can  be  decisive  in  ensuring  the  collection,  sharing  and 
comparison of data, statistics and information. These are currently missing but are necessary 
for the proper design of policies, for example on the procurement of public transport services, 
internalisation of external costs or integrated transport and land use planning. It can also help 
cities  with  less  experience,  knowledge  and  financial  resources  to  capitalise  on  the  practices 
developed  by  cities  that  are  more  advanced  in  the  area  of  sustainable  urban  mobility,  for 
example in areas such as pedestrian and cyclist safety where an exchange of best practice can 
help improve the safety of vulnerable road users in urban areas.  

Action 16 — Upgrading data and statistics 

To  address  the  lack  of  data  and  statistics,  the  Commission  will  launch  a  study  on  how  to 
improve data collection for urban transport and mobility. Synergies with existing Commission 
activities will be explored.  

Action 17 — Setting up an urban mobility observatory  

The Commission will set up an urban mobility observatory for urban transport practitioners in 
the form of a virtual platform27 to share information, data and statistics, monitor developments 
and  facilitate  the  exchange  of  best  practices.  The  platform  will  include  a  database  with 
information  on  the  wide  range  of  tested  solutions  already  in  place,  training  and  educational 
material, staff exchange programmes, and other support tools. It will also provide an overview 
of EU legislation and financial instruments relevant to urban mobility. 

Action 18 — Contributing to international dialogue and information exchange 

Local  and  regional  authorities  across  the  world  are  confronted  with  similar  mobility 
challenges. Tackling climate change, facilitating international trade, addressing the security of 

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http://ec.europa.eu/energy/intelligent/index_en.html. 
http://urbact.eu 
Building on existing initiatives, for example www.eltis.org. 

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energy  supplies,  securing  seamless  transport  flows  and  ensuring  social  equity  are  issues  of 
global  relevance.  Using  existing  platforms  and  financial  mechanisms,  the  Commission  will 
facilitate  dialogue,  city-twinning,  and  information  exchange  on  urban  mobility  with 
neighbouring  regions  and  global  partners.  As  a  first  step,  the  Commission  will  open  the 
CIVITAS  Forum  network  to  cities  from  the  Eastern  neighbourhood,  Mediterranean  and 
African  regions28.  For  the  longer  term,  the  Commission  will  include  this  dimension  in  the 
development of CIVITAS FUTURA and consider further dedicated activities under FP7. 

Theme 6 — Optimising urban mobility  

Effective  integration,  interoperability  and  interconnection  between  different  transport 
networks  are  key  features  of  an  efficient  transport  system.  This  can  facilitate  modal  shift 
towards  more  environmentally  friendly  modes  of  transport  and  efficient  freight  logistics. 
Affordable  and  family-friendly  public  transport  solutions  are  key  to  encourage  citizens  to 
become less car-dependent, use public transport, walk and cycle more, and explore new forms 
of mobility, for example in the form of car-sharing, carpooling and bike-sharing. Alternative 
means of transport such as electric bicycles, scooters and motorbikes as well as taxis can also 
play  a  role.  Company  mobility  management  can  influence  travel  behaviour  by  drawing  the 
employee’s  attention 
transport  options.  Employers  and  public 
administrations can provide support through financial incentives and parking regulations.  

towards  sustainable 

Action 19 — Urban freight transport 

The  Commission  intends  to  provide  help  on  how  to  optimise  urban  logistics  efficiency, 
including  on  improving  the  links  between  long-distance,  inter-urban  and  urban  freight 
transport,  aiming  to  ensure  efficient  ‘last  mile’  delivery.  It  will  focus  on  how  to  better 
incorporate freight transport in local policies and plans and how to better manage and monitor 
transport  flows.  As  part  of  its  preparations,  the  Commission  will  organise  a  conference  on 
urban freight transport in 2010. At the conference, the implementation of the urban initiatives 
in the Freight Logistics Action Plan29 will also be assessed. 

Action 20 — Intelligent transport systems (ITS) for urban mobility 

The  Commission  envisages  offering  assistance  on  ITS  applications  for  urban  mobility  to 
complement  the  ITS  Action  Plan30.  It  will  look  at,  for  example,  electronic  ticketing  and 
payment, traffic management, travel information, access regulation and demand management, 
and address the opportunities opened up by the European Galileo GNSS system. As a start, 
the  Commission  will  launch  a  study  on  improving  the  interoperability  of  ticketing  and 
payment  systems  across  services  and  transport  modes,  including  the  use  of  smart  cards  in 
urban transport with a focus on major European destinations (airports, rail stations).  

4. 

Looking ahead 

The  Commission  will  actively  lead  the  implementation  of  this  Action  Plan.  It  will  continue 
dialogue  with  stakeholders  and  set  up  appropriate  steering  mechanisms,  also  involving  the 

28 
29 
30 

COM(2009) 301. 
COM(2007) 607. 
COM(2008) 886. 

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Member States through, for example, the Joint Expert Group on Transport and Environment31. 
In 2012, the Commission will conduct a review of the implementation of this Action Plan and 
will assess the need for further action. 

31 

Established under the Council strategy on integration of the environment and sustainable development 
into transport policy; Council document 11717/99 TRANS 197 ENV 335, 11 October 1999. 

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Annex 1 — Overview of urban mobility actions 

Action 

Accelerating the take-up of sustainable urban mobility plans 

Launch in 2009 

Improving travel information 

Access to green zones 

Research and demonstration projects for lower and zero emission vehicles 

Internet guide on clean and energy-efficient vehicles 

Information exchange on urban pricing schemes 

Optimising existing funding sources 

Setting up an urban mobility observatory 

Launch in 2010 

Transport for healthy urban environments 

Platform on passenger rights in urban public transport 

Campaigns on sustainable mobility behaviour 

Energy-efficient driving as part of driving education 

Analysing the needs for future funding 

Upgrading data and statistics 

Contributing to international dialogue and information exchange 

Launch in 2011 

Sustainable urban mobility and regional policy 

Improving accessibility for persons with reduced mobility 

Study on urban aspects of the internalisation of external costs 

Launch in 2012 

Urban freight transport 

Intelligent transport systems (ITS) for urban mobility 

No 

1 

6 

7 

10 

11 

13 

14 

17 

3 

4 

8 

9 

15 

16 

18 

2 

5 

12 

19 

20 

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