By Sian Leydon, Arriva Group’s Managing Director for Mainland Europe
Every September, European Mobility Week reminds us that sustainable mobility is about more than moving people: it’s about inclusion, opportunity, and the health of our cities and regions. This year’s theme, ‘Mobility for everyone,’ is especially poignant. If Europe is to meet its sustainability goals, deliver cleaner air, and unlock fairer access to opportunity, providing accessible public transport services with buses at the heart of a more connected system must sit at the very centre of the solution.
At Arriva, we know this first-hand. With operations in 11 European countries, and more than 12,000 buses, we see every day how our services connect people to jobs, education, healthcare, and each other.
Mobility as a driver for social inclusion
When more people are connected by bus networks that feed into other transport systems, the benefits multiply: improved physical and mental health, more resilient local economies, better access to jobs, education, and essential services, cleaner air and less congestion. Just one fully loaded bus can take 75 cars off the road.
But to deliver true Mobility for everyone, we need a decisive shift in how people travel. Public transport must become the natural first choice for more journeys and bus networks will play a central role. Services that are more frequent, more reliable, more integrated, and are designed around the needs of passengers will encourage modal shift away from the dominance of private cars.
Technology already plays a big role in encouraging this modal shift, and is already helping make journeys more accessible and attractive. From real-time updates and contactless payments to integrated journey planning apps and Mobility as a Service (MaaS) solutions, digital tools are breaking down barriers to access and making journeys smoother, more predictable and more personalised.
Partnering for Europe’s green transition
At Arriva, we see ourselves as more than a transport operator – we are a partner to the communities and regions we serve. That means being a responsible business, shaping the future of mobility and helping regional authorities deliver on their climate and mobility goals. Transport operators and public bodies must act together to prioritise road usage for public transport services like buses, accelerate decarbonisation, and design networks that meet the needs of tomorrow’s passengers.
With Arriva’s extensive expertise across Europe, we’re a vital partner to public transport authorities, working together to bring more sustainable mobility solutions to better serve communities.
We’re committed to being a trusted partner in that journey. We are investing heavily in zero-emission vehicles and infrastructure, with more than 735 electric buses on order, set to rise to 1,300 this year. We are also investing heavily in the associated infrastructure required to electrify our depots and support these new fleets. For example, we recently announced the completion of a 17 million GBP electrification project in south London, which includes state-of-the-art smart charging facilities. This is part of 730 million GBP bus fleet modernisation programme in London. Other recent investments include an order for 187 electric buses in the Netherlands, a 20 million EUR investment to decarbonise our second Madrid bus depot and zero-emission bus fleets in the Czech Republic, Hungary and Italy.
These investments are not just fleet upgrades: they are proof that Mobility for everyone is within reach, and that the sector is ready to deliver the modal shift Europe urgently needs.
Looking ahead
Whilst European Mobility Week 2025 gives us an opportunity to reflect on the impact of our sector, it’s the long-term opportunity that’s really compelling. At Arriva, we believe buses play a central role in Europe’s public transport systems and will be essential to achieving Europe’s environmental, social, and economic ambitions, and to ensuring every citizen can access the opportunities they deserve.
The challenge is clear: only by making public transport the first choice for everyone can Europe meet its ambitions. By working together, we can ensure that Mobility for everyone is more than a theme – it is the core of everyday life for communities across Europe.
