With citizens across Europe suffering from a lack of access to public transportation, Greenpeace is calling on governments to urgently invest in affordable, accessible, and sustainable transit for everyone, the organization stated in a press release.
A new study by the Oeko-Institut, titled “Access Denied: Transport Poverty in Europe,” commissioned by the Greenpeace Central and Eastern Europe office, reveals a harsh reality: deep transportation inequalities across the continent. It shows that the absence of sustainable mobility options is effectively cutting millions of Europeans off from essential public services and social infrastructure.
In roughly 90% of European countries, more than half the population does not regularly use public transportation.
Greece: The Picture
For Greece specifically, the study concludes the following:
Greece has one of the lowest public transit usage rates among European countries, with 72% of Greeks either not using public transit at all or using it less than once a month. Only 7% of Greeks use public transit on a daily basis.
Greece ranks first in Europe for forced car ownership. Some 22.4% of the population is compelled to own a car (the European average is 6.4%), while at the same time the share of the population that cannot financially afford a car is clearly above the European average.
For 14.5% of the population, transportation costs are a serious financial burden. That figure is even higher in Serbia.
The share of people who avoid public transit because of excessively long travel times is below the European average in Greek cities, but above average in both towns and rural areas.
Greece’s performance across the 11 key indicators paints a picture of sharp polarization. In many categories, Greece places either at the top or the bottom of European rankings, with very little presence in the middle range. This points to a clear need for policy measures aimed at encouraging greater use of public transit.
Lack of Options
At the European level, the most striking finding is that up to 56% of the population in European countries reports being effectively cut off from transportation because it is simply not available in their area.
This lack of options leaves up to 19% of the population with no choice but to own a private vehicle, burdening households with expenses and the atmosphere with carbon emissions. The report also highlights a demographic gap: women and older adults are disproportionately affected by safety concerns and physical accessibility issues, which often make public transit an unviable option for them.
Every European country analyzed performs below the European average in at least one of the 11 “transport poverty” indicators. Germany, France, and Bulgaria show the most significant gaps. The Czech Republic, Serbia, and Slovakia perform relatively better across the indicators analyzed.
“A Systemic Failure”
Herwig Schuster, transport campaign coordinator at the Greenpeace Central and Eastern Europe office, stated: “It is a systemic failure that millions of Europeans are effectively shut out, disconnected from the jobs, healthcare, and opportunities they need both to survive and to thrive. Transportation is not a luxury; it is a fundamental bridge to a dignified life. We call on governments to prioritize a public transit system that is truly inclusive and affordable, accessible, safe, and reliable. The time has come to end transport poverty with a network that serves both people and the planet.”
The report outlines a strategic roadmap for eliminating transport poverty, focusing on targeted social ticketing, integrated regional and spatial planning, and safety-first infrastructure, such as improved lighting and emergency alarm systems, to ensure that public transit is a viable and safe option for everyone.
“Greece Has Fallen Far Behind on Public Transport Infrastructure”
Kostas Kaloudis, climate and energy campaign coordinator at the Greenpeace Greece office, stated: “Greece has fallen far behind on public transport infrastructure. Traffic congestion from private vehicles continues to grow inside and outside Greek cities, while keeping pollution levels persistently high. Expanding the national rail network must become a national priority, with the highest standards of sustainability, safety, and affordability for citizens. Rail-based transit and all forms of mass transportation need to be broadly strengthened.
Moreover, conducting comprehensive spatial and regional planning to promote public transit would allow us to capture the many benefits that sustainable mass transit provides for citizens and the economy, and ultimately improve quality of life.”
Greenpeace advocates for a model of accessible, affordable, and sustainable public transportation powered by “climate tickets”* and “social tickets.” The organization calls for the imposition of a fair tax on the ultra-wealthy, so that the resources needed to turn this vision into reality for every European citizen can be unlocked.
*A climate ticket is an annual unlimited-rides pass covering all public transit (urban and intercity) in a country or region, designed to encourage citizens to use fewer private cars and more public transportation, thereby reducing emissions.
