Macroeconomic conditions have greatly deteriorated since 2008 and prospects for growth with them. Many policy-makers face the dilemma of having to reduce debt while also needing to invest in their country’s long-term growth potential. Transport facilitates economic growth, and the more so when it is seamless and highly efficient.  But how can the sector’s potential to drive sustainable economic recovery be best harnessed?

• How much should fiscally constrained economies spend on public infrastructure and what kinds of transport investments are most needed for growth?
• How are transport policies best brought in tune with green growth opportunities?
• Are tighter funding constraints an opportunity to adopt innovative funding mechanisms, including efficiency-improving user charges and beneficiary-based funding systems?
• Technology and cost structures in transport justify strong public sector involvement - but are prevailing regulatory and governance structures restraining private initiative too much? Do they hamper the emergence of seamless services?