Barcelona Declaration

Global leaders in public transport unite in support of the sector.

Download Statement

CEOs from the public transport industry worldwide joined forces at the UITP Global Public Transport Summit to demonstrate their unwavering commitment to public transport.

The Declaration serves as a testament to the undeniable and indispensable role of public transport in our daily lives, benefiting everyone, everywhere.

It plays an intrinsic role in facilitating movement, fostering employment, supporting cities and economies, preserving the environment, promoting good health, and much more.

On this page you can find the declaration and its current signatories.

The Barcelona Declaration remains open for signatures, and CEOs of UITP’s Premium members are invited to express their support by contacting [email protected].

The UITP Barcelona Declaration

Public transport stands for more than itself. It is an intrinsic part of our life; it supports movement, people, jobs, cities, the economy, the environment, the planet, our health, and so much more.

It benefits everyone, every day, everywhere.

This is why we stand for public transport.

We Stand for People

As the public transport sector, representing all shared and collective modes of public transport, we stand for people, for our staff, for the persons we bring to their destinations, for everyone.

We connect people by linking communities, strengthening the social fabric throughout the world. At times of increasing inequality and social division, public transport can help build bridges.

It makes travel accessible and affordable. It offers equal opportunities to everyone and guarantees access to essential services like schools, hospitals and work.

A good public transport infrastructure takes private cars off the road and frees up space for people. Investing in public transport means that there is more space for children to play outside, fights urban heat islands and improves city life for all.

Public transport improves people’s health. Most journeys on public transport involve walking or cycling, triggering a more healthy and active lifestyle.

Increased use of public transport improves air quality and fights air pollution, which the World Health Organisation (WHO) associates with 4.2 million premature deaths per year.

With a modal shift to public transport, traffic volumes decrease resulting in lower exposure to traffic noise, giving you a better night’s sleep and relieving hypertension.

More public transport also results in a drastic improvement of road safety.

We Stand for Progress

We stand for a flourishing economy. Public transport connects people to jobs, training and leisure, supports tourism, increases land and property value, and helps all areas thrive.

It even does this beyond towns and cities through connections and jobs in its supply chain, which deliver the infrastructure and vehicles needed. One euro invested in public transport generates 4 to 5 euros in the local economy.

Public transport drives local employment. It is among the largest employers at local level, providing secure local jobs.

The sector employs diverse staff, with very different backgrounds, is committed to increasing the employment of women and reinforces social inclusion. For the same amount invested, public transport creates 25% more jobs than road construction.

We foster and are driven by innovation, from providing e-mobility long before electric cars were used, to deploying autonomous metros for over 35 years.

As the sector looks to the future, new research and development areas include hydrogen, artificial intelligence, autonomous road vehicles, and many others.

Public transport keeps cities bustling, moving safely and sustainably. Its stations provide places for people to come together, meet and shop; while public transport lines become part of the beating heart of the city.

We Stand for the Planet

We stand for the planet. We believe in public transport because it is the most climate friendly way of traveling besides walking and cycling. Public transport carbon emissions per passenger are 3 to 4 times lower than with cars.

For citizens’ daily mobility, a modal shift to collective public transport and active mobility is needed if we want to achieve our climate goals.

And because we stand for the planet and people’s health, we are rapidly advancing on the journey to decarbonise our sector. Achieving this, brings benefits to the planet and every person living on it.

We stand for our future, we stand for public transport!