Labour MEP Alfred Sant has insisted in the European Parliament that Europe's transport systems need public, not private solutions.

In an explanation of vote before voting in favour of the report ‘Sustainable urban mobility’ , Dr Sant said that the emphasis on public transport systems across the EU should be on public, not private solutions.

Over over 80 percent of Europe's populations live in urban centers, he observed. Europeans are plagued by traffic congestion, long commuting times, environmental pollution and inefficient public transport.

"Given the present context, where privatization, public-private partnerships and market-based solutions are considered essential elements in a "holistic" solution, problems will surely multiply not decrease," Dr Sant warned.

He said the emphasis should be on public, not private solutions.

State investment in urban public transport systems had not kept pace with needs, he said. Moreover, modernising public transport had been confused with privatisation, when the real need was to modernise the public management of transport systems.

The Maltese MEP said that generally, there was little impetus in favour of a long term plan.

"Through major public investments, it would create new infrastructures for mass urban transport. Its control and strategic direction should be retained by public authorities, operating not for profit but to serve a public purpose.

"As a general rule, public transport systems running as if they were private entities cannot solve satisfactorily the large scale problems of urban mobility. At national level, free market ideological dogma obscures this reality. Perhaps it can be countered at a European level, but I doubt it.’ Dr Sant said.