The State of Public Transport – UITP Policy Board, Istanbul, 5-6 November 2025
At the latest UITP Policy Board, discussions focused on a public transport sector looking to the future. From delivering the public transport systems of tomorrow, to integrating new technologies while ensuring security and resilience, the future or urban mobility featured front and centre.
Kindly hosted by Metro Istanbul and İstanbul Büyükşehir Belediyesi (Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality – İBB), the Policy Board gathered for two days of strategic talks on these key topics. Take a deeper dive into the State of Public Transport below.
Delivering Large-Scale Projects Successfully
Building the public transport system of tomorrow means delivering large-scale projects successfully, one of the greatest and most complex challenges in public transport.
The Policy Board discussion centred around UITP members’ experiences and highlighted several common factors for successfully bringing these projects over the finish line.
Trust and cooperation among partners is crucial, particularly between public and private entities. A well-designed procurement strategy from the get-go can go a long way in cementing this trust for better cooperation, as does consultation with citizens and other stakeholders.
Partnerships extend to all levels, including with trade associations that can influence the evolution of legal frameworks to facilitate complex projects, such as those involving land acquisition.
Capacity was also noted as a common challenge, particularly to ensure public agencies have the ability to lead such projects effectively, while addressing the risks of understaffing and skill shortages.
Costs go beyond the infrastructure itself. The full life-cycle costs have to be considered and assessed. A significant long-term challenge is managing the impact of changes that can occur as the project advances, which can lead to higher operational and/or maintenance costs.
To address this, bringing together different teams inside one organisation is vital for better coordination.
The Policy Board was able to hear directly from Société des Grands Projets who presented the Grand Paris Express and the insights and challenges on delivering this large-scale project which will greatly increase public transport services in the Paris region.
World Public Transport Day: A Global Celebration
Looking ahead to next year, Policy Board members received an update on preparations for the launch of World Public Transport Day, to be held on 17 April 2026. Under the theme ‘One day and millions of journeys’, this new UITP initiative will be a global celebration of the essential role public transport plays in our lives and our cities.
It’s a global day of local actions and UITP members are encouraged to join the celebration to show the collective power of public transport to move and connect people everywhere.
Scaling Up Shared Automated Mobility
Looking to the future means embracing the full potential of emerging technologies. In the field of shared automated mobility, the public transport sector is ready to lead the next phase: moving from technological development to large-scale service deployment.
Shared automated vehicles (AVs), when integrated into existing public transport systems, can significantly expand service coverage and attract new users to the network.
By reducing dependence on private cars, AVs can fill service gaps where traditional public transport may be economically or logistically challenging. They can bridge the ‘first and last mile’, connecting people’s homes to main public transport lines, serving vulnerable populations and enhancing accessibility and inclusivity.
However, realising these benefits will require overcoming several challenges. Scaling up is critical for success. Large deployments make the business case viable for manufacturers and operators alike. Early rollouts should therefore prioritise substantial fleets, supported by clear, flexible, and predictable regulatory frameworks that streamline testing and deployment.
Ambitious funding is equally vital. Investments should focus on achieving Level 4 automation, where vehicles operate without human drivers or safety operators on board.
Investing directly in Level 4 systems has a multiplier effect: as deployments expand, they generate valuable data, refine business models, improve technologies, and accelerate further scaling.
UITP’s upcoming publication on automated mobility will explore how shared AV services can be integrated into public transport networks worldwide, boosting accessibility, driving innovation, and unlocking the full potential of large-scale deployment.
Building Cyber-Resilient Public Transport Systems
Cybersecurity is not just a technical issue, it is a core responsibility tied to service continuity, safety, and the reputation of organisations.
Over the past five years, cyberattacks targeting public transport systems have escalated in frequency, complexity, and reach. Their impacts have ranged from the temporary suspension of ticket sales and real-time passenger information to data theft, reputational damage, and recovery costs running into millions of euros.
Establishing robust cybersecurity governance is now essential. There must be a comprehensive approach that goes beyond a traditional “cyber-protection” mindset to one that anticipates risks and strengthens the overall cyber resilience.
Funding and human resources remain major challenges. This issue is compounded by a global shortage of skilled professionals.
As of 2024, the world is missing nearly four million cybersecurity experts, a gap projected to reach 85 million by 2030, according to the World Economic Forum.
UITP’s upcoming publication will present a strategic framework for strengthening cybersecurity governance in public transport organisations, outlining a holistic and dynamic approach to building resilience across the sector.
Quality Services for Integrated Transport Systems
The Policy Board discussions also included the topic of ensuring high-quality service, which remains a core priority for public transport authorities.
UITP’s upcoming publication on this topic outlines the key conditions needed to translate strategic transport policies into successful, high-performing systems.
The publication presents a framework outlining the key dimensions of service quality, supported by global case studies that identify critical success factors for delivering, measuring, and improving sustainable mobility solutions.
Building on these examples, it examines the governance structures, institutional arrangements, and coordination mechanisms that enable effective service delivery, with a particular focus on the policy areas that shape system performance and the overall user experience.
Making Resiliency a Top Priority
Looking ahead in a world with increasing uncertainty, being resilient is essential. The public transport sector must be prepared for unexpected disruptions and events.
Disruptions may arise from a wide range of events. Besides the cyber risks touched on above, there are also supply chain interruptions, extreme weather, security threats, or power outages.
Diversifying energy sources and strengthening cooperation with the power generation sector is key alongside a systematic approach that includes contingency plans , to ensure a more resilient energy supply system.
Public transport plays a vital role in ensuring essential city services are operational. Building resilience must be a top priority, including all aspects of operations with comprehensive and regular risk assessments. Finally, core transport services must be prioritised within crisis management plans.
UITP Policy Board
The UITP Policy Board comes together twice per year to discuss the most important issues facing the sector and exchange ideas on how to move forward.
From delivering projects to integrating automated mobility; the ideas and discussions in this forum lead to a clear way forward that supports the entire public transport sector.
In ‘The State of Public Transport’ we outline the current issues and how our sector is aiming to tackle them.
The next Policy Board meets in February 2026 in Madrid.
