Mobility attended the launch reception for this package event, held on September 16 at the Bip, house of the Brussels Capital Region. Between key speeches and animated discussions among guests – which included decision makers and top level representatives from horizons such as the UITP, BMW Group, PSA Peugeot Citroen, the International Road Transport Union (IRU), Federation Internationale de l’Automobile (FiA), and the European Copper Institute – the evening proved that sustainable mobility is very much in the air… and on the ground.
First things first. What is sustainable mobility? What does the concept really mean? Several years ago, Mobility put this question to Hans Rat when secretary general of the UITP (1998-2011). Basically it means putting back what you’ve taken out, he replied. This definition still serves well in 2015.
Opening the evening gathering at the Bip, Jean-Luc de Wilde, mobility advisor to Revolve Media (above with Marta Goralczyk, UITP), highlighted the evolutions occurring in the mobility landscape. By sheer coincidence, this very same day, taxi drivers from across Europe had descended on the Belgian capital, on the European Parliament, to protest against Uber – the upstart US outfit that is posing a serious challenge to their livelihoods through its application-based business model.
Taxi drivers will have to use apps, otherwise they won’t survive, commented a realistic Mr de Wilde, pointing out that shared modes of transport, i.e. the car and bicycles, have really taken off in recent years. Hybridisation is another development, he added, with buses, in particular, benefitting from this technology.
Source: Revolve Media
A key issue for public transport is the need to diversify financing sources, as well as exploring new revenue avenues, said Mohamed Mezghani, deputy secretary general, UITP (photo above), referring to a February 2015 meeting of mayors and chambers of commerce, in London, which sought to explore how these actors can build mutually beneficial relationships. There are very few PPPs in urban transport, he added, but the need for more should not prevent governments from deploying structured funding.
Another topic of importance, raised by Mr Mezghani in his speech, is the globalisation of the transport market, which is seeing both more consolidation and more competition. New market players are taking shares and this is delivering benefits to travellers and tax payers.
On the matter of emissions, he cuts to the chase: The problem is not not knowing what to do, but doing it. For example, since the price of oil is relatively low at present, now is the time for measures such as removing fuel subsidies. During the COP21 climate conference, taking place this November-December in Paris, the public transport sector must demonstrate the part it plays in the debate, he insists.
Human resources in public transport are another priority. Indeed the sector is a significant generator of jobs – e.g. in Amsterdam it is the number one employer – and offers a broad spectrum of opportunities. Yet there is still room for change and improvements. We need qualified and diversified staff, urges Mr Mezghani. Employer branding is important, too.
Demographic shift, the climate, new political thinking, emerging ‘mobility players’, corporate management makeovers…. In June 2015, UITP released ‘Public Transport Trends 2015′, a report highlighting developments affecting the industry. The publication addresses public transport professionals and other mobility actors, as well as politicians and decision makers involved in city policies and urban affairs. It will be released every second year.
Copper is present (albeit largely unseen) across the transport chain. Nigel Cotton, director, European Copper Institute, (in photo above with Irina Dumitrescu, communications manager) gave a concise yet insightful speech (resumed below) that not only reminded guests of the key role played by this metal, but also touched upon all the issues at stake in the sustainable mobility debate.
Car sharing, trains, planes, electric bicycles… efficient, multi-modal transport systems need copper. Its strength and resistance to corrosion make it the natural choice for all parts of the transport industry. Carrying electric current, copper provides security, comfort, mobility, and safety. There are five tonnes of copper in an electric train, 1km of copper wire in an average car, and nearly 200km in an average airline.
Information and communications technology [ICT] is revolutionising our transport systems. Intelligence is embedded at all levels – in the vehicle within its sub-systems, in the surrounding infrastructure, in the energy supply, in the management systems, and in the services they deliver.
What’s my message to legislators today? I would say the percentage of electric and small vehicles is much lower than it should be. We are finally reducing our reliance on oil, but in addition to efficiency, we need to switch fuels as well. The bad news is that despite some improvements in energy efficiency, total C02 emissions by transport are still growing, due to the increasing use of vehicles and number of kilometres travelled.
Sustainable mobility means smart, green transport. And efficient transport systems can be responsible towards the environment. Sustainable mobility should not have to be a choice, nor difficult, nor an optional extra. Getting from A to B and enjoying sustainable mobility should be one and the same thing. Whenever that day comes, copper will still be there, supporting the revolutionary technology at the heart of our transport system.
Left to right: Claire Robert, PSA Peugeot Citroen; Victor Grangeon, FiA; Abayomi Otubushin, BMW Group
*Click here for visual highlights of the reception.