UITP Policy Board Tackles Strategic Priorities for Public Transport
The UITP Policy Board, hosted by Alsa and EMT Madrid, gathered in Madrid on 19–20 February 2026 for two days of strategic discussions focused on the most pressing trends and challenges shaping public transport worldwide.
Gautier Brodeo, who chaired both the Executive Board and the Policy Board for the first time as UITP President, underlined that these meetings are not only moments of governance and key decision-making, but occasions where “strategy becomes action for our members.”
Discussions were held in an open format, enabling meaningful exchanges and drawing on the depth and diversity of experience across UITP’s global membership.
The meeting brought sector leaders together to examine how public transport systems can adapt to a rapidly evolving landscape while reinforcing resilience, sustainability and long-term value for cities and communities.
The programme also included site visits and host presentations from Alsa and EMT Madrid, showcasing local innovations including bus electrification and automated vehicle developments.
Confronting Global Trends and Sector Challenges
A central focus of the Policy Board was an exchange on the major trends shaping the future of public transport.
Members engaged in roundtable discussions on mitigation, adaptation and resilience, including decarbonisation and energy efficiency. As climate pressures intensify and energy systems evolve, accelerating the transition to sustainable operations while strengthening system robustness remains a clear priority.
Smart technologies and innovation also featured prominently. Discussions explored how digital developments, including artificial intelligence and emerging tools, can enhance operational performance, improve passenger experience and support more efficient and responsive networks.
The Board further examined the importance of people-centred public transport, recognising that cities and territories must remain at the heart of mobility planning. Ensuring accessibility, inclusivity and strong connections between urban, suburban and rural areas continues to guide UITP’s strategic direction.
Financing was another key theme. Members discussed pathways towards more reliable and robust funding models, reinforcing the public transport business case and addressing long-term infrastructure and rolling stock investment needs in an uncertain economic environment.
Policy, Advocacy and Public Transport Benefits
Policy and advocacy discussions focused on strengthening UITP’s engagement at both European and international levels.
European members exchanged views on preparations for the EU’s next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF), underlining the strategic importance of sustained funding for local public transport systems. In parallel, discussions on international advocacy examined how to further reinforce the promotion of public transport benefits towards global institutions and international financial bodies.
Participants provided invaluable input into the revamping of UITP’s Benefits of Public Transport toolkit, which outlines the wide-ranging positive impacts that public transport brings to citizens and their cities.
There was clear support for stronger and more impactful messages which are concrete and more tangible to politicians. As perceptions of public transport differ across the world, the toolkit’s flexibility will allow cities and regions to focus on the benefits and topics that are most relevant.
The relaunch of the Benefits of Public Transport campaign will be part of UITP’s activities around World Public Transport Day on 17 April. An update on the Day was also presented, with activities organised by over 100 organisations across all inhabited continents set to take part in this first annual celebration of all things public transport.
More information on World Public Transport Day and how to get involved can be found here.
Hong Kong Confirmed as Host of the 2028 UITP Summit
At the Executive Board it was confirmed that Hong Kong will host the UITP Summit in 2028, marking the first time the event will take place in the Asia-Pacific region. MTR Corporation has been appointed as the local host organisation.
Bringing the Summit to Hong Kong reflects both the strength of its public transport system and the growing importance of the Asia-Pacific region in shaping the future of sustainable urban mobility.
The 2028 edition will continue the Summit’s global rotation, following Dubai in 2026 and Hamburg in 2027, reinforcing UITP’s commitment to representing the full diversity of its international membership.
Mobility Hubs Platform
Mobility hubs were highlighted during the host presentation from EMT Madrid as a strategic priority. Reflecting this growing focus across the sector, UITP continues to advance its work on mobility hubs, including the development of a Mobility Hubs Platform to support knowledge exchange across relevant committees.
Mobility hubs act as anchor points of multimodal and seamless mobility, connecting different transport modes in integrated and accessible spaces. By strengthening links between networks and reinforcing public transport systems, they help expand reach, improve user experience and enable more sustainable mobility patterns.
You can learn more about Mobility Hubs on our dedicated page here.
Looking ahead
The UITP Policy Board meets twice per year to discuss strategic priorities and guide the association’s work programme, ensuring that public transport remains resilient, forward-looking and central to sustainable urban development worldwide.
