Global Public Transport Leaders Convene at the UITP Summit 2025 in Hamburg, Germany

As UITP celebrates its 140^th anniversary this year, the UITP Summit 2025 witnessed 10,000+ delegation from across the world in Hamburg. Held between 15-18 June 2025, this edition of UITP Summit had attendees from 110 countries, with 340+ speakers at over 70 sessions and more than 400 exhibitors spread out over 30,000 square metres!

The Indian delegation at the UITP Summit 2025 showcased the nation’s progress in sustainable and inclusive public transport. Comprising senior officials, industry leaders, and policy experts, the delegation highlighted innovations in metro rail, electric mobility, and urban transit integration. India’s commitment to climate goals and smart mobility solutions drew global attention, fostering collaboration opportunities. The summit provided a platform to exchange best practices and reinforce India’s role in shaping the future of global urban mobility.

One of the highly acclaimed highlights of the UITP Summit is the UITP Awards. This year, National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC) won the highly prestigious UITP Award under the category of ‘Public and Urban Transport Strategy’ for its ‘Delhi Meerut Namo Bharat corridor in National Capital Region (NCR) of India’.

Two among the seven awardees of the Special Recognition Awards at the UITP Summit from the Asia-Pacific region were from India. Kochi Metro Rail Limited (KMRL) and L&T Metro Rail (Hyderabad) Limited have been honoured with the Special Recognition Award at the UITP Summit for their outstanding contributions towards sustainable mobility.

The Indian delegation brought forward a strong presence at the UITP Summit 2025 in Hamburg, contributing to critical global discussions on the future of urban mobility. Senior leaders from India’s public transport ecosystem participated across various high-impact sessions, sharing knowledge, innovations, and strategic perspectives.

Dr. Vikas Kumar, Managing Director, Delhi Metro Rail Corporation Limited (DMRC) and UITP Policy Board Member, addressed in the session titled “Journey to the East: The Rise of Asia’s Metro Systems.” Dr. Kumar outlined the exponential growth and transformation of metro networks across Asia, with a special focus on India’s leadership in expanding sustainable, affordable, and high-capacity urban transit systems.

Mr. Loknath Behera, Managing Director, Kochi Metro Rail Limited (KMRL), shared his insights in the session “Global Innovations in Paratransit,” offering his perspective on how emerging models of shared mobility and feeder systems are being effectively integrated into India’s urban transport fabric in Kochi. His insights emphasised the role of inclusive transit design in bridging accessibility gaps.

Mr. Nishant Arya, Vice Chairman, JBM Group, contributed to the discussion on “Deploying E-Mobility: Challenges, Vehicle Innovation, and Future Strategies.” He shared real-world insights on electric bus deployment in Indian cities, manufacturing innovations, and the policy environment shaping the future of e-mobility solutions.

Ms. Namita Mehrotra, Director – Finance, NCRTC made significant contributions in the session “Untangling the Mysteries of Sustainable Finance,” where she discussed strategies for mobilising investments in clean transport projects. She also actively participated in the networking event “200 Years on Track: Celebrating the Bicentenary of Passenger Rail,” where she engaged with global peers on historical progress and future directions of rail transit.

Mr. Atul Kumar Kankane, Executive Director – Corporate Coordination, DMRC, offered a technical perspective in the session “Leading the Way: Reducing Carbon Emissions from Public Transport Infrastructures.” His remarks highlighted Delhi Metro’s pioneering role in achieving carbon neutrality and implementing energy-efficient infrastructure.

Mr. S. Sivamathan, Director – Finance, Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL), was a speaker in the UITP Side Event “Urban Mobility Challenges and Solutions in the Global South.” He underscored the importance of public transport as a development catalyst and addressed financial, policy, and infrastructural challenges unique to the Global South.

Ms. Jayalakshmi Harichandran, Chief Security Officer, Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL), shared her expertise during the session on “Security of City Transport Networks: Insights and Measures Against Gender-Based Violence.” She discussed CMRL’s safety framework, including policies and technologies aimed at fostering a secure commuting environment for women and vulnerable populations.

This diverse participation reflected India’s growing role as a thought leader in urban mobility, sustainability, and inclusive transit. The UITP Summit provided an essential platform for Indian leaders to influence global discourse, foster partnerships, and showcase the country’s advancements in creating future-ready public transport systems.

JBM launched its latest model of electric bus – JBM ECOLIFE Electric City Bus at the UITP Summit. The launch marked the Indian bus manufacturer’s entry to the European Union market. The company also announced setting up of its European headquarters in Frankfurt to manage its operations in Europe. JBM EV’s expansion into Europe aligns with its broader Net Zero 2040 commitment and actively contributes to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly in promoting sustainable urban development and climate action.

The UITP Summit 2025 in Hamburg successfully brought together global transport leaders to shape the future of urban mobility. India’s active participation underscored its commitment to sustainable, inclusive, and innovative public transport. The summit fostered meaningful dialogue, knowledge exchange, and collaboration, paving the way for transformative solutions to mobility challenges worldwide.

The UITP Summit 2025 concluded with declaration of UITP’s Foundation Day – 17 April to be celebrated as World Public Transport Day. The next edition of the annual UITP Summit will be held in April 2026 in Dubai.