World Public Transport Day announced! Summit Day 4 Recap

It’s been quite a ride after four days, over 10,000 participants from the global public transport sector and more than 400 exhibitors came to Hamburg. It’s been a packed few days, with enriching sessions, plenaries, and mixing and mingling.

Check out the highlights from our last day, including a special announcement about World Public Transport Day – an exciting initiative to celebrate public transport across the globe.

The decarbonisation of buses globally was covered in a session that included expert panellists from across the world. François Warnier de Wailly from RATP explained that much of the sector is no longer in an energy transition, but instead at a stage of energy optimisation.

The panel’s global perspective helped to learn what makes zero-emission buses successful in both hot and cold temperatures; on long-distance and short-distance routes; and for whatever the local context calls for.

Ethan Ma Yi, the Deputy General Manager of Shenzhen Bus Group, mentioned how the operator tackled electrifying long routes, fluctuating energy prices, and the alignment of service schedules with charging. He spoke of how a deep analysis prior to electrification, including “route- and vehicle-specific charging solutions”, can help implement the right technology in the right place.

UITP and MOIA signed a Memorandum of Understanding today, capitalising on the excellent collaboration in delivering this UITP Summit. Together, they will explore and demonstrate how automated vehicles can transform public transport, facilitate knowledge exchange, and foster dialogue with cities and policymakers.

Also at the UITP stand, the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH and UITP officially renewed their own Memorandum of Understanding to extend and strengthen their strategic partnership.

This agreement includes improving access to inclusive and low-carbon transport, integrating urban and transport planning, strengthening institutional frameworks, and engaging the private sector and civil society in the development of resilient, people-centered mobility systems.

Today’s Elevate Talks turned to equitable transport financing with Nicolas Peltier, Global Director of Transport at the World Bank, and Abimbola Akinajo, Managing Director of Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA). They unpacked the challenges of delivering sustainable transport in fast-growing cities, from aligning infrastructure with urban growth to leveraging financial instruments for long-term development.

A strong focus emerged on jobs, with speakers highlighting public transport as a driver of employment and accessibility. Discussions also touched on the growing appeal of electricification and the role of active mobility in boosting ridership and reshaping urban space. The complexity of risk in financing major projects was a recurring theme.

This year in Hamburg, we had the pleasure of working with VDV who had their annual conference integrated into our programme. Speaking at VDV’s European Transport Policy for Germany panel, UITP President Renée Amilcar spoke about the importance of financing for public transport, but also the renewal of infrastructure and praised Germany as a key part of connected European infrastructure. We were also happy to have VDV take part in our closing ceremony!

Kicking off today’s closing ceremony, our opening keynote speaker, Benita Matofska, returned to the stage to give some of her insights and key takeaways after attending the Summit over the past four days, linking them to her seven ways to make positive change. Highlights included public transport as an engine for thriving cities, the evolution of shared mobility, and the benefits to public health with more public transport.

UITP’s future leaders programme was also highlighted with two participants invited on stage, who spoke about their own highlights of the Summit. Lena Boertje and Jonas Vellez from GBV and Alsa/Saptco respectively, spoke some of their own highlights from the Summit, including the autonomous vehicle session, getting young people at the decision-making table, on-demand transport, and the importance of sharing knowledge.

UITP Secretary General Mohamed Mezghani delivered a closing speech, highlighting that UITP is celebrating 140 years this year, starting out when tramways were carried by horses and now represents all modes of public transport. Speaking of his own 20+ year journey at UITP, he emphasised that while the world is becoming more polarised and in this uncertain context, “international associations represent a safe place for members to meet in a trusted environment” and that “a shared purpose brings people together”.

UITP President Renée Amilcar also gave her main takeaways, especially that public transport “is not only a service, it’s a must” and that we want to continue to improve, build, and work hard. She also encouraged everyone to have a dream, noting that the dream of our Secretary General was to have a dedicated day to public transport, which will soon become a reality!

Announced by UITP President Renée Amilcar at the closing ceremony, this day will mark the very first World Public Transport Day! Stay tuned for more details on this new global day of celebration for our sector.

Also during the closing ceremony, an official ‘handing over’ ceremony from Hamburg, to our 2026 Summit host, Dubai! On stage was his Excellency Mattar Al Tayer, Director General, Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors at RTA Road and Transport Authority Dubai. In remarks, he emphasised how Dubai is honoured to host the next UITP Summit and welcomed the longstanding partnership with UITP.

That brings us to the end of the 2025 UITP Summit in Hamburg! Thanks to our host city and our sponsors for helping to make this Summit such a success. We’ll see you in Dubai in April 2026!