Members of the EPP Group in the European Committee of the Regions stressed that a truly sustainable and connected European transport system must serve all territories and citizens. They highlighted the importance of strengthening territorial cohesion, improving connectivity in rural, mountain and peripheral regions, tackling transport poverty, and ensuring that local and regional authorities play a greater role in shaping future transport investments. The debate underlined that transport policy is not only about infrastructure, but also about equal opportunities, accessibility and economic resilience across Europe.
Jesús Ángel Garrido Martínez, Director General for Funds and Relations with the European Union of the Government of La Rioja, presented the region's efforts to promote sustainable and clean mobility through the reinforcement of its regional public transport network. He highlighted measures aimed at making public transport more accessible and affordable, while supporting the transition towards cleaner forms of mobility. As he noted, "In short, we are talking about a coherent strategy: more public transport, more accessible and free for those who need it most, and an orderly transition towards a cleaner mobility also in private vehicles." He stressed that sustainable mobility policies must combine environmental objectives with practical solutions that respond to the daily needs of citizens.
Csaba Borboly, Vice-President of Harghita County Council, drew attention to the challenges faced by mountain, rural and peripheral regions, arguing that transport connectivity is essential for economic development and demographic stability. "Transport connectivity is not a luxury. It is the foundation of opportunity," he said, warning that communities without adequate transport links risk depopulation and decline. He called for the Connecting Europe Facility to better address territorial disparities and provide stronger support for regions facing higher costs, longer distances and weaker infrastructure. Highlighting the reality of transport poverty, he stressed that limited access to affordable transport isolates people from jobs, education and healthcare. Borboly concluded that local and regional authorities must have a genuine role in decision-making and that future investments should be directed where needs are greatest, not simply where projects are easiest to deliver.