Mobility within cities in the EU is often difficult, inefficient, and associated with considerable negative externalities – including because transport is still heavily reliant on the use of conventionally-fuelled private cars. Many European towns and cities share common urban mobility challenges. In particular, they suffer from chronic traffic congestion – which is estimated to cost 270 billion euros annually – as well as poor air quality (with over 500 000 premature deaths/year in the EU due to poor air quality) and road accidents, with all the negative effects for citizens, environment and economy. Rising transport CO2 emissions are also an increasing problem, with urban transport representing ¼ of them.Tackling these challenges is primarily a responsibility of the relevant local authorities. However, targeted support from the EU and national level can be an important facilitator for more decisive and more efficient local action.For decades, the European Commission has been supporting sustainable urban mobility through its policies and funding programmes. In 2013, the European Commission adopted the EU Urban Mobility Package (UMP2013). Its aim was to catalyse joint action towards more sustainable urban mobility and to reinforce the support provided to European cities through coordinated measures at EU level and in the Member States.

The Urban Mobility Package has been implemented by the Commission together with cities, Member States and stakeholders since 2014.

Against this background, the Commission has decided to undertake a comprehensive evaluation of the 2013 Urban Mobility Package (The central element of the Urban Mobility Package is the Communication ‘Together towards competitive and resource efficient urban mobility’). More information can be found here.

The consultation will close on 4 December 2019.

More information is available here.

Source: European Commission