“Even though private cars remain the most important means of transport, the citizens of the European Union are well aware of their impact on environment and the traffic situation”: a recent survey by Eurobarometer, published on July 26th, shows that most of Europeans are in favour of measures to promote the use of public transport and to foster a more sustainable mobility. The survey also pointed out the attitudes of European citizens in relation to air transport security and to the rights of air passengers. “The opinion poll – commented Jacques Barrot, vice president of the European Commission in charge of transport, – clearly shows that mobility is an essential element in the lives of EU citizens, who are asking for a reliable, high-quality transport system”. “The transport policy on which we are working – he added – clearly focuses on the needs and the expectations of our citizens, expressed by the survey: a better environment protection, higher security levels, reduction of congestion in big cities, and strengthening of the consumers’ rights”. The opinion poll by Eurobarometer was conducted in the 27 member States of the European Union, through a sample of about 26 thousand people chosen at random, concerning questions relating to the transport policy in the EU, including town transport, environment problems, traffic, and air security. For instance, the survey pointed out that 81% of EU citizens owned a car for their family nuclei, and 51% said the car was the main means of transport. The use of cars might diminish if public transport was improved, through better times and links towards usual destinations.
