UITP's Recommendations to the Irish Presidency of the EU Council
July – December 2026
The Presidency’s programme recognises transport as an enabler of competitiveness and highlights its human dimension, reaffirming that delivering for citizens remains a top transport priority.
UITP welcomes this vision: every day, public transport keeps Europe moving, connecting millions of people to jobs and essential services, sustaining economic activity, and offering an affordable and sustainable alternative to private cars.
Public transport is therefore essential to European competitiveness, territorial cohesion, and climate neutrality and it should be recognised as a strategic sector that generates value, innovation, and European industrial know-how.
Continued investment in public transport is essential to delivering economic, social, and territorial cohesion across Europe.
UITP calls on the Irish Presidency to turn its key transport priorities into tangible outcomes:
- Multiannual Financial Framework
UITP calls for dedicated recognition of urban nodes and public transport. Urban and multimodal hubs are essential links between local, regional and European transport networks. From UITP’s perspective, they remain among the key “missing links” of the TEN‑T, as they condition the effective use of long-distance infrastructure by passengers and ensure seamless, multimodal and accessible mobility across Europe.
- Industrial Accelerator Act (IAA)
UITP fully supports initiatives that strengthen European industrial competitiveness while advancing decarbonisation. In this context, the EU’s local and regional public transport sector is uniquely positioned to contribute, bringing together globally recognised operators and industry leaders with strong operational, technological, and business expertise that is exported worldwide through consultancy, engineering, and service activities.
UITP therefore calls for a pragmatic implementation of the IAA that safeguards the competitiveness of the public transport sector and supports continued investment in sustainable mobility.
- Clean Corporate Vehicles
UITP asks to exclude specialised vehicles for infrastructure maintenance, emergency response and vehicles adapted for persons with reduced mobility as suitable zero-emission alternatives are not yet available. In addition, UITP asks to support the deployment of charging infrastructure at public transport depots and maintenance facilities.
- European Anti-Poverty Strategy
Public transport is essential to tackling transport poverty. For many of the most vulnerable members of society, it is the only affordable and accessible mobility option, providing a vital link to employment, education, healthcare and other essential services. Strengthening public transport links within urban areas, while improving connections with rural, peripheral and remote communities, should be a key objective.
By promoting policies that strengthen high-quality public transport and reduce reliance on private cars, policymakers can help break the cycle of transport poverty and ensure that everyone can access opportunities, regardless of where they live.
UITP stands ready to work closely with the Irish Presidency throughout its mandate to help translate these priorities into clear, effective and workable outcomes for public transport across Europe.
