HIGH EXPECTATIONS, SLOW PROGRESS
Public transport and shared mobility systems face an unprecedented funding challenge at a time when they are expected to deliver more than ever. On one hand, demand for sustainable and inclusive mobility is rising, and governments have set ambitious goals for modal shift, fleet decarbonization, and resilient infrastructure by 2050. On the other hand, traditional funding models are struggling to keep up.
Despite these headwinds, expectations for the mobility sector are higher than ever. Urban populations continue to grow (the United Nations projects an additional 2.5 billion urban residents by 2050, mostly in emerging economies) and with them the demand for transport infrastructure and services. Policymakers in urban areas are also urging a rapid modal shift away from private cars toward public, shared, and active modes to meet climate targets and reduce congestion. Yet progress has been slow: over the past 15 years, the combined global share of trips by public transport, walking, cycling, and new mobility services increased from roughly 20% to about 30% of urban trips. But they remain almost stable when it comes to kilometers traveled (passengers per kilometer, or pax-km), where private cars still account for ~70% of urban pax-km worldwide (even higher in many suburban and rural areas), according to the Arthur D. Little (ADL) “The Future of Mobility 5.0” report. (....)