UPPER: Transforming public transport for a sustainable future
Public transport stands at the core of sustainable urban mobility, and the UPPER project (Unleashing the Potential of Public Transport in Europe) is on a mission to reinforce its role as the backbone of innovative and inclusive transportation. Running from January 2023 to December 2026 under the Horizon Europe framework, UPPER aims to shift mobility patterns across ten European cities and regions by encouraging greater public transport use and reducing reliance on private cars.
UPPER and CIVITAS: A shared vision for sustainable mobility
As a part of the wider CIVITAS Initiative, UPPER contributes to the advancement of sustainable and smart urban mobility. In this way, through supporting research and implementation projects under Horizon Europe, CIVITAS aligns closely with UPPER’s mission of enhancing public transport accessibility and innovation. All of UPPER's partner cities involved in the project are CIVITAS cities, including the Living Lab cities Valencia, Rome, Versailles Grand Parc – Île de France, Oslo and Mannheim. Lisbon, Leuven, Budapest, Thessaloniki and Hannoverare also involved as Twinning Cities.
“UPPER contributes to achieving the aims of the CIVITAS Initiative, which is two sides of the same mobility coin: fostering sustainable urban mobility, promoting integrated planning, enhancing citizen engagement, embracing innovation, facilitating knowledge sharing and supporting effective policy development. Together, our efforts help cities move towards a more just and inclusive public transport future.” – Francesco Iacorossi, UPPER Dissemination Task Leader, Eurocities.
A holistic approach to mobility transformation
With over 80 push & pull measures in place, UPPER is working across five innovation models: mindset & culture, urban mobility planning, mobility services ecosystem, road network management, and democratic governance. The project takes a comprehensive approach to ease cooperation between authorities and operators, optimise mobility planning, and foster user engagement. A key ambition of UPPER is to help cities update their Sustainable Urban Mobility Plans (SUMPs) while ensuring public transport remains attractive, efficient, reliable, safe, inclusive, and affordable.
Mobility as a Right (MaaR): Making transport inclusive for all
At the heart of UPPER’s vision is the Mobility as a Right (MaaR) concept, which emphasises accessibility and inclusiveness as fundamental principles for freedom of movement. MaaR ensures that mobility solutions include all citizens, irrespective of their physical ability, economic background, or social circumstances. UPPER is embedding this principle in its communication strategy to guarantee that public transport is a true enabler of social, economic, and political participation.
One of UPPER’s living labs Oslo, is actively addressing mobility barriers through the "Mind the Gap" initiative. This program, involving the company Ruter, aims to create a culture of social inclusion in public transport, starting from within the workforce. Since its launch, the initiative has engaged nearly all Ruter employees, including top leadership. The inspiration behind this movement traces back to 2020, when Bernt Reitan Jenssen, CEO of Ruter, encountered Amir Hashani, a wheelchair user who highlighted the struggles of inaccessible transport systems.
“I myself felt the stress and insecurity a visually impaired person experiences on public transport. That made an impression on me.” – Bernt Reitan Jenssen, CEO of Ruter.
The UPPER Toolkit: Empowering cities with knowledge and solutions
To support cities in implementing transformative mobility measures, UPPER is developing a comprehensive toolkit composed of seven digital tools (U-TWIN, U-NEED, U-SIM, U-SUMP, U-GOV, U-KNOW and U-TRANSFER). These tools assist in real-time monitoring of urban transport systems, analysing mobility demand, supporting strategic transport planning, fostering citizen engagement, and guiding Sustainable Urban Mobility Plan development. Each tool is designed to help cities and transport operators optimise services, predict challenges, and create more efficient and inclusive mobility solutions.
The project is currently working on the content of U-TRANSFER, among others. This is a dynamic and interactive platform to guide the cities through the implementation of knowledge and solutions demonstrated in UPPER and deposited in the U-KNOW repository. It will also provide space for knowledge exchange and discussion on the enablers and barriers that govern the implementation and replication of successful solutions.
Shaping the future of public transport
As cities across Europe strive to decarbonise transport and integrate emerging mobility solutions, ensuring an inclusive transition remains crucial. UPPER is not just about modernising transport but about reshaping mobility as a fundamental right, creating a future where public transport serves all citizens effectively.
Stay tuned for further updates as UPPER continues to drive meaningful change in European urban mobility!
