UITP Shares How to Improve Public Transport Demand

UITP announced its Organizing Authorities Committee compiled lessons learned for managing demand and developing public transport networks. 

Their work has outlined five key policy recommendations for demand management and measures to implement in the latest policy brief "Managing the demand for mobility: A transformational policy instrument." 

UITP found that demand management can be a major strategy and policy tool. Public transport authorities, operators, and even non-transport stakeholders can solve mobility challenges by influencing demand for mobility.

Influencing demand starts with measures to manage traffic, movements, trips and requires the use of regulation, financial incentives, and taxes, according to UITP.

In doing so, UITP said users’ travel expectations are more likely to be met and it widens the potential to reach destinations as various travel options are provided. Plus, education and promoting sustainable, healthy lifestyles helps to sustain these travel habits, according to UITP.

Demand management aims to ensure user-centricity to strong governance and influence commuter behavior.

According to the International Transport Forum’s Transport Outlook 2021 Report, strong Demand Management policies would contribute to a 22% reduction in urban passenger transport emissions by 2050 compared with where UITP would be under the current policy trajectory.

"When well defined, demand management can offer benefits to users, transport authorities, operators, and society as a whole," said Emmanuel Dommergues, senior Manager of Organizing Authorities. "The fundamental nature of demand management is transformational, and will support a transition in our mobility."