UITP Urges EU Fund: Securing Public Transport Against Robotaxis

UITP urges EU to establish a permanent transport fund, securing long-term investment for decarbonization amid a looming funding gap and robotaxi competition.

January 27, 2026 4:39 pm

🛑 Key Takeaways:

The International Association of Public Transport (UITP) is lobbying the Cypriot EU Presidency to establish a permanent European Transport Investment Fund.
The proposal comes amid warnings from industry groups (IRU, ACEA, T&E) of a potential funding gap in 2026-2027 for zero-emission vehicle infrastructure as existing facilities are exhausted.
This push for predictable, long-term funding aims to secure public transport’s role against emerging competitors, as robotaxi services from Waymo, Uber, and Wayve target European launches in 2026-2027.

BRUSSELS – The International Association of Public Transport (UITP) has submitted formal recommendations to the Cypriot Presidency of the EU Council, proposing the creation of a permanent European Transport Investment Fund. The move aims to secure predictable, long-term financing for public transport decarbonization and infrastructure projects, addressing what other transport bodies have identified as a critical funding gap for EV charging infrastructure expected in 2026–2027.

Category	Specification / Detail
Proposed Instrument	Permanent European Transport Investment Fund
Advocacy Target	Cypriot Presidency of the Council of the European Union
Key Stakeholders	UITP, European Commission, IRU, ACEA, T&E
Core Objectives	Decarbonization, social inclusion, predictable investment, passenger rights
Targeted Funding Areas	Urban, regional, cross-border, and rural passenger transport (road and rail)
Urgent Context	Expected exhaustion of the Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Facility (AFIF) creating a 2026-2027 funding gap for heavy-duty EV infrastructure.

Operational & Policy Details

The core of UITP’s proposal is a permanent fund to provide financial predictability for operators and public authorities. This would support long-term investment planning for infrastructure, rolling stock, and related facilities. The proposal directly addresses the EU’s climate and social inclusion goals. It seeks to ensure public transport can meet decarbonization mandates, such as those governing corporate fleets and public procurement rules.

UITP warns that new regulations must be clear and consistent, avoiding administrative burdens or contradictions with existing legislation. The organization also stressed that passenger rights legislation must be enforceable and account for local conditions, including ticketing systems and services for persons with disabilities. Furthermore, UITP advocates for expanding the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) to better support local and regional networks, not just high-speed and long-distance corridors, to combat transport poverty in peripheral regions.

Market Impact Analysis

The establishment of a permanent investment fund would significantly de-risk capital-intensive fleet renewals and infrastructure upgrades for transport operators across the EU. Predictable funding streams would stabilize the supply chain for manufacturers and allow for more efficient long-range planning. This financial stability is critical as public transport faces new market entrants. For instance, robotaxi services are set to launch in major European cities starting in 2026. A recent survey indicates public support for improving traditional public transport far outweighs interest in robotaxis. Securing dedicated EU funding would empower public authorities to execute such improvements, directly addressing public demand and reinforcing transit’s competitive position against new, private mobility-as-a-service providers.

FAQ: Quick Facts

What is UITP’s main proposal to the EU?

UITP proposes the creation of a permanent European Transport Investment Fund to provide stable, long-term financing for public transport projects, including decarbonization and infrastructure.

Why is this funding considered urgent?

Industry groups warn of a potential funding gap in 2026-2027 for essential infrastructure like heavy-duty vehicle charging stations as current EU funding facilities are set to be exhausted.

What other issues did UITP raise?

UITP also called for clear and consistent legislation on decarbonization, practical passenger rights rules that respect local systems, and more funding for local and regional networks to combat transport poverty.