Vienna – Deep transport inequality across Europe is revealed by a new Oeko-Institut study commissioned by Greenpeace CEE, demonstrating how a lack of viable transit options effectively excludes many Europeans from vital public services and social infrastructure.
Herwig Schuster, transport campaigner for Greenpeace Central and Eastern Europe, said: “It is a systemic failure that millions of people on the continent are effectively stranded, cut off from the jobs, healthcare, and opportunities they need to both survive and thrive. Transport is not a luxury, it is a fundamental bridge to a dignified life. We are calling on governments to prioritise a public transport system that is truly inclusive – affordable, accessible, safe, and reliable. It’s time to end transport poverty with a network that serves both the people and the planet.”
The report titled “Access Denied: Transport Poverty in Europe” reveals a stark reality: in roughly 90% of European countries, more than half the population does not use public transport regularly. Most significantly, up to 56% of the population in European countries report being effectively “cut off” from transit because it is simply unavailable in their area. This lack of alternatives leaves up to 19% of the population with no choice but to own a vehicle, compounding both household expenses and carbon emissions. The report also highlights a demographic divide: women and seniors are disproportionately affected by safety concerns and physical accessibility issues, often rendering public transit an unviable option.
All analysed European countries perform below the European average on at least one of the 11 transport poverty indicators, with Germany, France, and Bulgaria exhibiting the most significant gaps. Czechia, Serbia and Slovakia are the countries with the most relatively best results for the indicators analysed.
The report outlines a strategic roadmap to end transport poverty, centering on targeted social tickets, integrated regional and spatial planning, and safety-first infrastructure – such as enhanced lighting and emergency alarm systems – to ensure public transit is a viable, secure option for everyone.
Nelly Unger and Dr. Viktoria Noka, researchers from the Oeko-Institut, said: “We need socially inclusive and climate friendly transport systems across Europe. This means making public transport more attractive: be it through targeted ticketing to improve affordability, integrated spatial and regional planning for better availability, additional safety and security protocols and barrier-free access, or targeted infrastructural investments to reduce time poverty. Where public transport is not an option, we need strong alignment between climate goals and social inclusion in our transport policies to ensure no one is left behind.”
Greenpeace is advocating for this model of accessible, affordable and sustainable public transport, powered by ‘climate’ and ‘social’ tickets. We are calling for a fair tax on the super-rich to unlock the massive resources needed to turn this vision into a reality.
ENDS
Contacts:
Herwig Schuster, Campaigner European Socio-Economic Campaign, Greenpeace CEE, [email protected], +43 664 4319214
Mihaela Bogeljić, Comms Lead European Socio-Economic Campaign, Greenpeace CEE, [email protected], +385922929265
Greenpeace International Press Desk, [email protected], +31 20 718 2470 (24 hours)
