UITP: Continuity of passenger transit ‘crucial’

UITP says that passenger transport must not be interrupted by the Covid-19 pandemic, to ensure that "the health crisis does not turn into a social one".
By Adam Hill April 8, 2020 Read time: 2 mins
UITP: 'Crucial' that passenger transport must continue (© Rawin Tanpin | Dreamstime.com)

Many transit organisations have reported a 90% drop in ridership.

But a statement co-signed with the International Transport Workers' Federation, the International Union of Railways and United Cities & Local Governments says: "Ensuring continuity of public transport and local mobility services is essential for society and the economy, especially for the many individuals who depend on a well-functioning transport system and must travel to execute their essential daily functions."

It insists that transport and local mobility services "are vital in order to keep key workers moving, and should be arranged so that public transport workers and passengers can travel safely". 

The statement calls on authorities to guarantee the supply of "appropriate protective equipment and products to public transport and local mobility operators - and that employers ensure provision to their employees to protect the health and safety of their employees, as well as their passengers". 

Data about the outbreak in China, Italy, Spain, France and the US means "we can be sure that the passenger transport sector’s ecosystem will be heavily affected in multiple ways", the organisations say. 

They insist that "exceptional measures" will need to be adopted by governments, including financial support - both during the crisis "and to swiftly resume regular operations once Covid-19 is under control".
 

Mass Transit & MaaS

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Mobilising data for the future of urban transport
    August 8, 2018
    It's not just gathering the data that's important, says Johan Herrlin - it's making sure that transport organisations share it with one another that will determine travellers' satisfaction. Data is transforming the way we move around cities, from family car journeys to the daily train commute. Gone are the days when travelling from A to B meant remembering your AA map and having to ask for directions at regular intervals. If you were trying to navigate London as a tourist a mere decade ago, it required
    Read More
  • Covid-19: ‘Probably the largest street planning experiment, ever’
    April 9, 2020
    A ‘precipitous’ drop in urban road traffic caused by Covid-19 has brought some benefits in terms of cleaner air and empty streets – but is in most ways a negative phenomenon.
    Read More
  • ADN’s Bled SaaS option eases driver stress
    July 23, 2019
    ADN Mobile Solutions has developed a technology-plus-training tool for bus operators which it says will reduce driver stress, cut emissions and improve the bottom line Public transit is at the heart of future urban mobility. The focus here is, quite rightly, on improving the experience for riders – but there is someone else in the chain who might be overlooked, despite being vital to the success of any operation: the driver. Bus drivers, for example, have a difficult job, combating congestion and the
    Read More
  • Transport Systems Catapult boss: ‘We can’t build our way out of congestion’
    March 4, 2019
    The UK Transport Systems Catapult’s CEO Paul Campion talks to Colin Sowman about helping companies develop tomorrow’s solutions – and explains why you can never build your way to empty roads The future of mobility is going to be driven by services.” That’s the opening position of Paul Campion, CEO of the Transport Systems Catapult (TSC) – the UK government organisation set up to help boost transport-related employment and the economy. Campion was previously with IBM and describes himself as a ‘techno o
    Read More

Highlighted Content