European Mobility Expo: 80% of Europeans In Major Cities Use Public Transport Daily

A recent survey has revealed that 80% of Europeans living in major cities use public transport daily, though only 40% consider it their primary mode of transportation. The findings, presented at the 2024 European Mobility Expo, involved over 2,500 residents from cities including Paris, Berlin, Madrid, Stockholm, and Warsaw.

Paris emerged as the city with the highest public transport usage, with 86% of its inhabitants relying on it, primarily using the metro, which boasts one of the most extensive underground networks in the world. Despite high usage in Paris, the survey found that in cities like Warsaw and Madrid, more than half of the residents continue to use cars.

One factor affecting car use, particularly in Warsaw, is the accessibility of public transport. The survey showed that only 44% of Warsaw’s population lives within a five-minute walk of a public transport stop, potentially contributing to the higher reliance on cars.

Marie-Ange Debon, head of the French Union of Public and Rail Transport and CEO of the Keolis Group, noted that these findings align with observations from the field. She explained that drivers tend to switch to public transport when it offers convenience, emphasizing the need for nearby, reliable, and safe transport options with clear passenger information.

Interestingly, the survey also found that cars are frequently chosen for short trips. On average, 36% of respondents across the surveyed cities use cars for journeys lasting less than 15 minutes.

Debon highlighted that transportation accounts for 30% of greenhouse gas emissions, with public transport contributing only 1% of that figure. While cars are expected to remain a primary mode of transportation in rural areas, she pointed to alternatives such as on-demand transport, carpooling, and electric busways as ways to reduce car dependency.

Debon concluded by stressing the importance of integrating diverse travel options to support regional development, noting that access to various forms of transport is key to a well-connected territory.

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