In recent years, the European Union (EU) has been at the forefront of driving innovation in public transport. Recognising the critical role of sustainable and efficient public transportation systems in combating climate change, reducing congestion, and improving urban mobility, the EU has launched several initiatives and funded numerous projects.
In this 3-piece tribute we delve into the most significant EU initiatives in this domain, with a special focus on the three most impactful EU-funded projects up to the end of 2023 and the outlook for 2024 and beyond.
Key EU Initiatives in Public Transport
1. The European Green Deal
Launched in 2019, the European Green Deal is a roadmap for making the EU’s economy sustainable. This initiative includes ambitious plans to make Europe the first climate-neutral continent by 2050. A significant part of this plan involves transforming the transportation sector, which accounts for a quarter of the EU’s greenhouse gas emissions. Investments in sustainable transport infrastructure, promotion of electric vehicles (EVs), and development of green public transportation are central to this initiative.
Transport emissions account for around 25% of the EU’s total greenhouse gas emissions. To address this, the European Commission has adopted proposals to align climate, energy, transport, and taxation policies with the goal of reducing net greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55% by 2030 compared to 1990 levels. Recent actions include a package proposed on 11 July 2023 to make freight transport more efficient and sustainable, contributing to the target of reducing transport emissions by 90% by 2050. These measures include enhancing rail infrastructure management and promoting the use of low-emission lorries.
2. Horizon 2020 and Horizon Europe
Horizon 2020, which ran until 2020, and its successor, Horizon Europe with a budget of €95.5 billion running from 2021-2027, are the EU’s key funding programs for research and innovation. These programs have allocated substantial funds to projects focusing on smart, green, and integrated transport, while balancing the needs of different modes of transport. They aim to develop and implement innovative transport solutions that are sustainable, efficient, and beneficial for society. They address challenges like climate change and sustainable development while boosting the EU’s competitiveness and growth.
3. Connecting Europe Facility (CEF)
The CEF is a major EU funding instrument developed to promote growth, jobs, and competitiveness through targeted infrastructure investment at the European level. It supports the development of high-performing, sustainable, and efficiently interconnected trans-European networks in the fields of transport, energy, and digital services.
The Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) for Transport is a major EU initiative focusing on enhancing transport infrastructure across the European Union. Managed by the Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency (CINEA), CEF Transport plays a crucial role in co-financing and supporting investments in the Trans-European Network for Transport (TEN-T network). This network is essential for connecting different parts of Europe and ensuring efficient, sustainable, and modern transport systems.
For the period 2021-2027, the CEF Transport program has focused on several key areas, including infrastructure projects on the Core and Comprehensive TEN-T, transport interoperability, multimodal logistics platforms, and the improvement of transport infrastructure resilience to climate change and natural disasters. Additionally, the program supports the adaptation of the TEN-T to civilian-defence dual-use.
In a significant development, the European Commission has allocated over €6 billion in EU grants from the CEF to 107 transport infrastructure projects. This investment prioritizes projects that contribute to a more efficient, greener, and smarter network of railways, inland waterways, and maritime routes along the TEN-T network. Notably, over 80% of this funding will support projects that deliver these objectives, including major cross-border rail connections and upgrades to maritime ports and inland waterway transport infrastructure.