UITP Europe Forum: Policy, Innovation, and the Priorities for Public Transport

Gautier holds a degree in Civil Engineering from the École Spéciale des Travaux Publics (ESTP) and a Master of Science (MSc) in Project Management from the University of Birmingham. 

In addition to his professional achievements, Gautier serves as a lecturer in public transport at École des Ponts ParisTech and Paris Sorbonne University. He is also a board member of CESI, a prominent network of engineering schools with over 8,400 graduates in 2024. 

Mohamed Mezghani is the Secretary General of the International Association of Public Transport (UITP) since 2018. He has been working for more than 30 years in public transport and urban mobility related fields in different roles: knowledge manager and director, adviser and consultant as well as researcher. He has led many initiatives including advocacy activities, studies, technical assistance, training programmes and professional events in more than 70 countries on all continents, engaging with international organisations, government officials, mobility professionals and academia.

He has been graduated in Industrial Engineering (1987) from Ecole Nationale d’Ingénieurs de Tunis, Tunisia and has a Master in Transport (1988) from Ecole Nationale des Ponts et Chaussées, Paris, France.

Gabrielle Costigan is CEO of Global Rail Group, leading technical growth and workforce development for the rail infrastructure sector.

With 25+ years of experience across rail, energy, infrastructure, consulting, and innovation, she specialises in operational excellence, transformation, and technical leadership.

Holding a Civil Engineering degree and an MBA from London Business School, she is Vice-Chair of the UITP Europe Division and a board member of several international organisations.

As Commissioner of TfL, Andy is responsible for ensuring the delivery of safe and reliable transport services to keep London moving, growing and to make life in the Capital better for residents, visitors and businesses. He is responsible for delivering the priorities and objectives set out in the Mayor’s Transport Strategy and TfL Business Plan.

Andy joined TfL in November 2019, as MD London Underground having started his career with British Airways as a sponsored undergraduate in 1989, gaining an honours degree in mechanical engineering from Manchester Uni. His career saw him take on roles across engineering, operations and customer service, culminating as Director of Operations and member of the Executive Leadership Team for just over seven years.

Prior to joining TfL, Andy was Executive Vice President at Menzies Aviation leading the business and operations for the UK, EMEAI.

Andy is a Non-Executive Director of the National Armaments Director Group of the UK Ministry of Defence where he chairs the safety and security committee.

Sónia Páscoa, born in 1977, holds a Law degree from the Faculty of Law of the University of Lisbon (2001) and has been a member of the Portuguese Bar Association since 2004.

In 2021, she completed the 20th Postgraduate Programme in Public Regulation and Competition at the Faculty of Law of the University of Coimbra (CEDIPRE).

Since 2024, she has served as Chair of the Board of Directors of AMOLIS – Lisbon Metropolitan Association of Transport Operators. In parallel, she is a Member of the Board of Directors of Metropolitano de Lisboa, E.P.E., METROCOM – Gestão de Espaços Comerciais, S.A., and FERCONSULT – Consultoria e Projetos de Engenharia de Transportes, S.A. She is also a senior staff member at Transportes Metropolitanos de Lisboa, E.M.T., S.A., where she has held positions in strategic management and advisory roles.

Prior to these roles, she led the Mobility and Transport Observatory Project at the Mobility and Transport Authority (2021–2023). Between 2015 and 2020, she served in several ministerial cabinets, including as Chief of Staff to the Secretary of State for Planning and Chief of Staff to the Secretary of State for Mobility.

Her career also includes extensive legal practice as a legal adviser and lawyer, with positions at the Secretariat-General of the Ministry of Economy, the Ministry of Public Works, Transport and Communications, and Garcia de Orta Hospital.

She currently serves as Co-Vice-Chair of the European Union Committee and represents Metropolitano de Lisboa in Metro Division of the International Association of Public Transport (UITP).

In his capacity as Deputy Director Europe, Artur supports the management and strategy of the UITP Europe Department, a unit in charge of EU regulatory and advocacy affairs. In this role, Artur also acts as the thematic lead on EU funds and financing matters. Previously, he managed all of UITP’s operations and activities in the Central Eastern Europe region. Before joining UITP in 2013, Artur gained public affairs and corporate experience from London-based research consultancy ComRes, and from trade association AmCham Belgium. Earlier, Artur worked as PhD researcher at the Ghent University.

Emanuele Proia is General Manager of ASSTRA and Head of Economic, financial and statistical Department.

He got a degree in Economics, University of Rome “La Sapienza” with a specialisation in public finance.

After an experience as economist for ICE (America institute of foreign affairs) he got Master in business and administration with a specific specialisation in public transport system and management of PT companies.

He is a member of Economic Commission of UITP, he has carried out several studies about public transport and he coordinated different working group of the association related with fares, fraud, cost structure, financing, social responsibility.

Jaspal Singh has 16+ years of experience in mobility, innovation, and technology space. He is currently serving as the Senior Director of Membership and Global Operations (MGO) at UITP (International Association of Public Transport). His earlier roles include serving as the Manager of the IT and Innovation Committee and as the Head of the UITP India Office.

He is also the host of Mobility Innovators Podcast. He has a 360-degree view of the sector as he has worked with the public agencies, operator, startups, and consulting firms.

He is also Principal at Valoriser Consultants, Inc. specializing in new mobility, cleantech, startups, electric mobility, and ITS. Previously, he was working with a public transit authority, reforming the urban transport system in India. In past, he also worked with Uber India’s early team to navigate the regulatory challenges and build partnerships.

He has received several awards for his contribution in the field of public transport and social work, as well as has been widely quoted in publications. He completed his Master of Management and Innovation (MMIE) at Queen’s University, Canada and received his master’s in business administration specialized in International Business.

He is actively working with startups in mobility and logistics space as an advisor, mentor, and investor. Jaspal is an avid traveller and travelled to around 55 countries around the world and counting.

Axel Volkery is the Head of Unit B3 ” Innovation and Urban Mobility” in the Directorate-General for Mobility and Transport of the European Commission. The Unit is responsible for planning and programming of relevant policies and initiatives for transport research and innovation as well as sustainable urban mobility.

Prior to joining the European Commission, Axel worked in different positions in the public and private sector in Belgium, Denmark and Germany.