{"id":22857,"date":"2025-09-18T10:28:49","date_gmt":"2025-09-18T08:28:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/arriva.si\/?p=22857"},"modified":"2025-09-18T10:28:49","modified_gmt":"2025-09-18T08:28:49","slug":"mobility-for-everyone-why-public-transport-is-central-to-a-connected-europe","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/arriva.si\/en\/news\/mobility-for-everyone-why-public-transport-is-central-to-a-connected-europe\/","title":{"rendered":"Mobility for everyone: Why public transport is central to a connected Europe"},"content":{"rendered":"
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An article by Sian Leydon, Arriva Group\u2019s Managing Director for Mainland Europe<\/strong><\/p>\n

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\"\"Every September, European Mobility Week reminds us that sustainable mobility is about more than moving people: it\u2019s about inclusion, opportunity, and the health of our cities and regions. This year\u2019s theme,\u00a0Mobility for everyone<\/em>, is especially poignant. If Europe is to meet its sustainability goals, deliver cleaner air, and unlock fairer access to opportunity, public transport must sit at the very centre of the solution.<\/p>\n

At Arriva, we know this first-hand. With public transport operations in 11 European countries, employing more than 36,000 people and delivering 1.5 billion passenger journeys each year, we see every day how buses, trains, trams, and shared mobility services connect people to jobs, education, healthcare, and each other. Public transport is not just a service, it is the backbone of Europe\u2019s social, environmental, and economic ambitions.<\/p>\n

Mobility as a driver for social inclusion<\/strong><\/p>\n

When more people choose public transport, the benefits multiply: lower emissions and cleaner air, improved physical and mental health, more resilient local economies, and better access to jobs, education, and essential services for underserved areas. When transport systems are designed around the needs of passengers, they create a virtuous cycle. Higher ridership drives better services and investment, which in turn attracts even more users.<\/p>\n

But to deliver true\u00a0Mobility for everyone,<\/em>\u00a0we need a decisive shift in how people travel. Walking, cycling, buses, trams, and trains must become the natural first choice for more journeys. That requires services that are more frequent, more reliable, and more integrated, designed around the needs of passengers rather than the dominance of private cars. At Arriva, we work with municipalities and transport authorities across Europe to design networks that do exactly this, creating the conditions for long-term modal shift.<\/p>\n

Making journeys seamless through digital innovation<\/strong><\/p>\n

Technology is already helping make public transport more attractive and accessible. From real-time updates and contactless payments to integrated journey planning apps and Mobility as a Service (MaaS), digital tools are breaking down barriers to access and making journeys smoother and more predictable.<\/p>\n

Arriva is investing in digital solutions that smooth passenger journeys.\u00a0 We offer swipe and pay facilities and\/or digital apps in all our countries enabling easier spontaneous choice to use public transport.\u00a0 This is how Arriva can serve its customers with innovative solutions, and evolve and grow the business beyond simple transport operations.<\/p>\n

Partnering for Europe\u2019s green transition<\/strong><\/p>\n

Meeting Europe\u2019s climate goals depends on more than cleaner vehicles: it requires a fundamental shift in how people travel. Public transport operators and public bodies must act together to prioritise buses and trains over cars, accelerate decarbonisation, and design networks that meet the needs of tomorrow\u2019s passengers.<\/p>\n

At Arriva we see ourselves as more than a transport operator \u2013 we are a partner to the communities and regions we serve. That means being a responsible business, shaping the future of mobility and helping our partners deliver on their climate and mobility goals. Arriva has extensive expertise across Europe making us a vital partner to public transport authorities across the continent bringing in sustainable solutions that better serve communities.<\/p>\n

Arriva is committed to being a trusted partner in that journey. We are investing heavily in zero-emission fleets and infrastructure, with more than 735 electric buses on order, set to rise to 1,300 this year, we are also investing heavily in the associated infrastructure which is required to electrify our depots in support of these new fleets.\u00a0 A recent \u20ac300 million order for 22 new electric trains in the Czech Republic follows another order in the UK for 45 Hitachi Rail \u2018tri-mode\u2019 cars, which have the flexibility to run on electrified and non-electrified tracks, representing an investment of around \u00a3300 million. These investments are not just fleet upgrades: they are proof that\u00a0Mobility for everyone\u00a0<\/em>is within reach, and that the sector is ready to deliver the modal shift Europe urgently needs.<\/p>\n

We want to work with regulators and transport authorities across Europe to enable long-term modal shift with passengers at the heart of any plans.\u00a0By implementing clear and simple measures that prioritise public transport over personal vehicles and improve punctuality, modal shift will become simpler and easier. This in turn will accelerate decarbonisation, drive network expansion, and expedite investment and innovation, making public transport the preferred choice.<\/p>\n

Looking ahead<\/strong><\/p>\n

Whilst European Mobility Week 2025 gives us an opportunity to reflect on the impact of our sector, it\u2019s the long-term opportunity that\u2019s really compelling. At Arriva, we believe public transport is essential to achieving Europe\u2019s environmental, social, and economic ambitions, and to ensuring every citizen can access the opportunities they deserve.<\/p>\n

The challenge is clear: only by making public transport the first choice for everyone can Europe meet its ambitions. By working together, we can ensure that\u00a0Mobility for everyone\u00a0<\/em>is more than a theme \u2013 it is the core of everyday life for communities across Europe.<\/p>\n

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