Brussels, 10/11/2011 (Agence Europe) - Antonio Costa, Committee of the Regions (CoR) rapporteur on the Transport White Paper and Mayor of Lisbon, summarised in five points the challenges that need to be met to develop a smart, sustainable and fair transport policy. It was during the event on Thursday 10 November, organised by the Socialist Group at the CoR and the European Foundation for Progressive Studies, that he presented his solution for improved mobility. The key words in his opinion are regional development, which will help to optimise the distribution of public transport and infrastructure and help improve the movement of workers travelling to cities. He said that it was also necessary that a smart, more efficient and integrated public transport system be helped towards developing a shift from individual modes of transport to public transport. He advocated integrated management of existing transport systems, through improved ticketing and information systems. He said that it was also necessary to promote clean and efficient techniques for passenger vehicles and freight, particularly for engine-based propulsion systems. Finally, patterns of behaviour would also need to evolve towards sustainability, through pooling and the concept of community. He concluded that “without tackling these five areas in an integrated way, it will be difficult to attain the objectives and contribute positively towards the challenges that need to be met over the next few decades”. (MD/transl.fl)