In a joint letter to EU institutions, major local and regional governments and transport networks—including POLIS, ICLEI Europe, Eurocities, EMTA, ECF, UITP, and EIT Urban Mobility— call on the European Commission to prioritise investments in urban and regional mobility in its Sustainable Transport Investment Plan (STIP). Investing in sustainable urban and regional mobility will create jobs, boost sectors like tourism and retail, reduce congestion and pollution, and improve public health and support positioning cities as innovation hubs, supporting SMEs and leading green industrial transformation.
The letter argues that the STIP has the potential to strengthen the link between sustainability and economic resilience as part of Europe's competitiveness agenda if urban and regional mobility is included in the strategy, which currently focuses mainly on renewable and low-carbon fuels for aviation and waterborne transport, the deployment of recharging infrastructure, and rail digitalisation.
"For the Strategic Transport and Innovation Plan to deliver real impact, it must connect our territories and communities — and this can only happen by putting cities and regions at the heart of the strategy. Investing in urban mobility and prioritising walking, cycling, public transport and shared mobility is Europe’s best bet for liveable cities and a competitive, sustainable, and people-centered future." - says Matthew Bach, ICLEI Europe Regional Director for Strategy and Policy.
Sustainable urban mobility requires €1.5 trillion by 2050, with €500 billion needed for implementation. The return on investment is clear: each euro spent on public transport yields €6.50 in regional economic benefits, and a full modal shift could save individuals up to €15,000 by 2050.
Urban nodes, defined under the TEN-T framework, will be required to adopt Sustainable Urban Mobility Plans (SUMPs) by 2027, covering entire functional urban areas. These must deliver inclusive, high-capacity solutions to support competitiveness.
To maximise its impact, the letter outlines four key recommendations:
- Clearly define STIP’s urban mobility scope.
- Promote competitiveness through targeted investments.
- Establish frameworks that enable investment and implementation.
- Align future MFF instruments with urban mobility priorities.
With the right focus, STIP can become a cornerstone for sustainable, inclusive, and competitive transport systems across Europe and significantly contribute to reaching the EU climate targets.
Read the full letter here.