EUROPEAN METROPOLITAN TRANSPORT AUTHORITIES ... - EMTA

On collecting data and statistics on urban transport
Background
The University of Leuven (KUL) and UITP have been commissioned by the EC DG-MOVE to carry
out a study on “the harmonized collection of European data and statistics in the field of urban
transport and mobility”.
In this context, interviews with local authorities are conducted by UITP and KUL to explore more
deeply the availability of and need for statistical data on urban transport. Information collected
from international and national organisations will complement the interviews and be part of a final
report with recommendations for EU level actions.
EMTA Secretariat General has been interviewed by UITP in the Autumn 2011. The interview was
based on the “Barometer” 1 outcomes a one of a sort publication EMTA has been issuing regularly
since 2000.
The aim of the Barometer is to present the most important figures of the socio-economic and
transport contexts in the largest metropolitan areas across Europe.
In spite of the methodological difficulties, by the way largely debated with UITP, related to
differences across Europe in the cultural approach of defining indicators or providing access to the
data on the one hand and trying to compare local circumstances by essence unique to each place,
the report enables the reader to make comparisons and set out ratios thus providing a useful
source of information.
EMTA is pleased to announce the new edition of the Barometer (data 2009) will be issued by the
Summer 2012.
Previous editions of the Barometer are available at : http://www.emta.com/spip.php?article267
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On social fares, reviewing practices.
Background
Following a Question posed at the European Parliament, the European Commission has been
enquiring recently on the concessionary fare practices across Europe.
The information has been relayed by UITP with some direct questions they put to selected
transport authorities among which some EMTA members.
The subject of tariff policy practices had been explored among EMTA network, particularly in 2010
following the first consequences of the economic downturn, the document “Survey on social
policies in transport fare systems” compared the practices of 14 Transport Authorities of the largest
European capitals. It concluded that Concessionary fares were universal practices targeting various
segment of the population (older people, youngsters and persons on low income) although the
criteria to apply could vary significantly as well as the amount of rebate offered. It also pointed out
that legal requirement to offer concessionary fares didn’t belong to the Transport Authorities which
had no choice but to cover it and the arbitrage among equally relevant concessionary schemes
(young people, persons on low income, older people) could be difficult and hamper a sound
transport strategy.
A European project AENEAS which came to a close in the spring 2011 AENEAS Attaining ENergy
Efficient mobility in Ageing Society has explored with success the specific topic of mobility of the
older segment of the populations across Europe. Besides inventorying various successful practices
of alternatives to the use of private cars it also touched upon the pricing strategy of Public
1 EMTA Barometer see http://www.emta.com/spip.php?article267
EUROPEAN METROPOLITAN TRANSPORT AUTHORITIES
c/o S.T.I.F 41, rue de Châteaudun F-75009 Paris, FRANCE
Tel : +33 (0) 1 53 59 21 00 – Fax : + 33 (0) 1 53 59 21 33 – e-mail : contact@emta.com
http://www.emta.com
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