1.1. Contact organisation
Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union.
1.2. Contact organisation unit
E2: Environmental statistics and accounts; sustainable development
1.3. Contact name
Confidential because of GDPR
1.4. Contact person function
Confidential because of GDPR
1.5. Contact mail address
e-mail contact: ESTAT-SDG-MONITORING@ec.europa.eu
1.6. Contact email address
Confidential because of GDPR
1.7. Contact phone number
Confidential because of GDPR
1.8. Contact fax number
Confidential because of GDPR
2.1. Metadata last certified
25 April 20252.2. Metadata last posted
25 April 20252.3. Metadata last update
25 April 2025The indicator is part of the EU Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) indicator set. It is used to monitor progress towards SDG 9 on building resilient infrastructure, promoting inclusive and sustainable industrialisation and fostering innovation and towards SDG 11 on making cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable, which are embedded in the European Commission’s 2024-2029 Priorities under 'A new era for European defence and security', 'Supporting people, strengthening our societies and our social model', 'Sustaining our quality of life: Food security, water and nature' and 'Protecting our democracy, upholding our values'.
SDG 9 calls for building resilient and sustainable infrastructure and promotes inclusive and sustainable industrialisation. It also recognises the importance of research and innovation for finding lasting solutions to social, economic and environmental challenges.
SDG 11 aims to renew and plan cities and other human settlements so that they offer opportunities for all, with access to basic services, energy, housing, transportation, green public spaces and others, while improving resource use and reducing environmental impacts.
The indicator can be considered as similar to the global SDG indicator 9.1.2 "Passenger and freight volumes, by mode of transport".
Rethinking future mobility includes optimising the use of all modes of transport, car sharing and multimodal integration between the different modes of collective transport such as train, tram, metro, bus and taxi.
In 2020 the Commission adopted the ‘Sustainable and Smart Mobility Strategy’ together with an Action Plan of 82 initiatives. This strategy lays the foundation for how the EU transport system can achieve its green and digital transformation and become more resilient to future crises. As outlined in the European Green Deal, the result will be a 90% cut in emissions by 2050, delivered by a smart, competitive, safe, accessible and affordable transport system.
4.1. Data description
This indicator measures the share of buses, including coaches and trolley-buses, and trains in inland passenger transport, expressed in passenger-kilometres (pkm). Passenger transport here includes transport by passenger cars, buses and coaches, and trains, but excludes inland waterways, air and sea transport. All data are based on movements within national territories, regardless of the vehicle’s nationality. Road data stem from a voluntary collection and are not fully harmonised at the EU level. Tram and metro systems are not included because the data collection methodology for these means of transport is not sufficiently harmonised between Member States.
For countries where rail transport statistical legislation does not apply, the totals contain only the share of coaches, buses and trolley buses.
4.2. Unit of measure
% of passenger-km.
4.3. Reference Period
Calendar year.
4.4. Accuracy - overall
The indicator is produced according to the quality standards of European Statistics.
The data collection methodology is voluntary and not fully harmonised at the EU level. The accuracy of the indicator is mainly limited due to the voluntary collection of road passenger data. As a result, the transport performance data are based on a large variety of statistical sources and some data gaps are filled with estimates.
Details on accuracy can be found in the metadata of the source datasets (see link in "Related metadata)
4.5. Source data
4.5.1. Source data - Organisation
ESS
4.5.2. Source data - Comment
Data source: European Statistical System (ESS) (TRAN_HV_PSMOD)
Data provider: Statistical Office of the European Union (Eurostat), based on data reported by the countries.
5.1. Frequency of dissemination
5.1.1. Frequency of dissemination - Grade
Every year5.1.2. Frequency of dissemination - Comment
The indicator is updated annually. Complete and updated ESS data release information can be accessed via Eurostat release calendar.
5.2. Timeliness
5.2.1. Timeliness - Grade
T+2 years5.2.2. Timeliness - Comment
New data points are disseminated within two years after the reference year.
6.1. Reference area
6.1.1. Reference Area - Grade
All EU MS6.1.2. Reference Area - Comment
Data are presented for all EU Member States plus Iceland, Norway, Switzerland, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia and Türkiye.
"Trains" do not apply to Cyprus and Malta.
6.2. Comparability - geographical
6.2.1. Comparability - geographical - Grade
All EU MS6.2.2. Comparability - geographical - Comment
Data comparability between EU Member States and with the other presented countries is limited because neither concepts nor data collection methodologies for passenger transport by road are fully harmonised at the EU level. Common data definitions are however provided in the Glossary for transport statistics (Fifth edition).
6.3. Coverage - Time
6.3.1. Time Coverage - Grade
> 10 years6.3.2. Time Coverage - Comment
Presented time series (including EU aggregates) starts in 2000.
6.4. Comparability - over time
6.4.1. Comparability - over time - Grade
> 4 data points6.4.2. Comparability - over time - Comment
The length of comparable time series without methodological breaks is longer than 4 data points.
At a country level, comparability over time may be restricted as data sources may vary during the covered period due to methodology changes for the survey. In addition, for some countries and for certain periods data are based on benchmark surveys, while for the rest of the covered period they are estimated.
7.1. Dissemination format - Publications
The analysis of indicator is presented in Eurostat's annual monitoring report on Sustainable development in the EU (progress towards SDGs in an EU context).
7.2. Dissemination format - online database
See table sdg_09_50
7.3. Dissemination format - other
Eurostat dedicated section on SDGs: overview.
Copyrights: Eurostat Copyright/Licence Policy is applicable.
