Mathilde PETIT
A Competitive and Resilient Europe Requires a Stronger EU Transport Budget: UITP Joins Forces with other Transport Organisations
Summary
UITP, together with 45 leading European transport organisations representing the full spectrum of Europe’s transport network, is uniting once again to advocate for stronger EU funding for transport in the upcoming Multiannual Financial Framework.
As part of this coalition, UITP is urging the EU and Member States to commit to robust and ambitious funding, including raising the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) budget to at least €100 billion, to ensure Europe’s transport network remains competitive, resilient, and sustainable.
To remain competitive, resilient, and sustainable, Europe must act now to upgrade networks, remove bottlenecks, and enhance connectivity across the continent. This means reinforcing capacity, safety, and resilience, while preparing for the impacts of climate change.
Transport is the backbone of the EU internal market. Efficient and reliable networks link production sites to markets, boost industrial competitiveness, and accelerate the shift to a net-zero economy.
A strong transport sector is also key to ensuring economic, social, and territorial cohesion, securing critical raw materials, and safeguarding Europe’s supply chain sovereignty. Recent reports by Mario Draghi and Enrico Letta underline that a well-functioning European transport network drives economic growth, job creation, and regional cohesion (read our Report).
Yet, the sector faces significant challenges. Many transport projects, despite their high societal value, struggle to attract sufficient investment. The Connecting Europe Facility has proven instrumental in supporting high-value investments, but structural underfunding and oversubscription of calls limit its impact.
Europe’s transport sector is ready to deliver but only with adequate investment and support. Strengthening and future-proofing Europe’s transport infrastructure is an opportunity to secure Europe’s economic prosperity, resilience, and sustainability.
Public transport is the backbone of sustainable mobility and key to Europe’s climate and social goals. To achieve its strategic objectives, Europe must invest in a robust transport network. A modern Europe starts with strong local public transport. Let’s make it a priority.
Thomas Avanzata, European Affairs Lead, UITP
Thomas Avanzata, European Affairs Lead, UITP
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