EUROPEAN PASSENGERS' FEDERATION IVZW

Their core work

EPF is a Brussels-based advocacy organization that represents the interests of European passengers across all transport modes. In H2020 projects, they bring the passenger perspective into research on mobility services, accessibility, and transport innovation — ensuring that technological solutions actually meet the needs of real travelers. Their role spans user requirements definition, accessibility audits, policy input on inclusive mobility, and validation of new transport concepts like Mobility-as-a-Service (MaaS) and urban air mobility from the citizen's point of view.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

EPF's early H2020 work (2015–2018) centered on digital travel information systems — seamless journey planning, interoperability standards, big data for travel companions, and rail governance frameworks. From 2017 onward, their focus shifted decisively toward social equity and inclusion: transport poverty, accessibility for underserved groups, and ensuring that emerging technologies like automated vehicles and urban air mobility serve all citizens equally. The most recent projects (2020+) show EPF moving into frontier mobility concepts — shared autonomous vehicles, MaaS platforms, and urban drone transport — but always through the lens of passenger needs and inclusive design.

EPF is increasingly positioned as the go-to passenger voice for emerging transport technologies (automation, air mobility, MaaS), making them a strong partner for any project needing citizen-centered validation of future mobility concepts.

How they like to work

EPF operates exclusively as a consortium participant, never as coordinator — consistent with their role as a representative body rather than a research performer. With 166 unique partners across 21 countries in just 7 projects, they plug into large, diverse consortia (averaging ~24 partners per project). This wide network and non-competitive NGO status make them an easy, low-friction partner to include when a consortium needs credible passenger representation.

EPF has collaborated with 166 distinct organizations across 21 European countries through 7 projects, giving them one of the broadest partner networks relative to their project count. Their Brussels base and pan-European mandate connect them to transport authorities, research institutes, and mobility operators across the continent.

What sets them apart

EPF is one of very few organizations that can credibly represent the collective European passenger voice in research projects — they are not a consultancy hired to do user research, but an established federation with direct links to national passenger organizations. This gives them authentic legitimacy when projects need user validation, accessibility assessment, or citizen engagement. For consortium builders, adding EPF strengthens the societal impact dimension of any transport proposal without introducing a commercial competitor.

Highlights from their portfolio

• AURORA
  Largest EPF project (EUR 239,750) exploring urban air mobility safety and citizen acceptance — a frontier topic signaling EPF's expanding scope beyond ground transport.
• HiReach
  Directly addresses transport poverty and social exclusion — a signature topic for EPF that bridges social innovation with mobility research.
• SHOW
  Major demonstration project on shared automated mobility across multiple cities, positioning EPF at the intersection of automation, equity, and public transport.