The European Commission’s report on the quality of life in European cities highlighted the impact of public transport on residents’ overall satisfaction. The survey collected responses from over 71,000 people across 83 cities in Europe, revealing varying levels of satisfaction with public transport. Northern and Western European cities reported higher satisfaction rates, while Southern and Eastern European cities exhibited lower levels of satisfaction.
Among the capitals, satisfaction ranged from 29% in Rome and Tirana to 91% in Vienna. Significant disparities were also found among cities, with rates ranging from 22% in Palermo to 95% in Zurich. Public transportation satisfaction was slightly higher in non-capital cities compared to European capitals.
Factors influencing public transportation satisfaction included affordability, safety, ease of access, frequency, and reliability. Perception of affordability varied significantly among capitals, with residents in Tallinn and Berlin reporting the highest rates. Safety perceptions were generally high, but Rome recorded the lowest scores in several key indicators.
The survey found a weak positive correlation between overall satisfaction levels and public transport affordability, suggesting affordability is not a strong indicator of satisfaction. However, strong correlations were found between satisfaction levels and safety, accessibility, reliability, and frequency. The European Commission is promoting behavioral change towards active mobility and public transport to make it more attractive and efficient in the EU.
Coalitions like Intelligenttransport, which includes the International Association of Public Transport (UITP), are calling for increased EU funding to support public transport initiatives. Overall, the survey highlighted the varying levels of public transportation satisfaction across European cities and the need for improved services to enhance residents’ quality of life.
Source
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