Navigating the Future of Public Transport: Key Insights from UITP’s Mohamed Mezghani

In Conversation with Mobility Redefined

We were honoured to welcome Mohamed Mezghani, Secretary General of UITP (International Association of Public Transport) for the most recent episode of the Mobility Redefined Podcast. Speaking with our host, Dr. Kaan Yildizgoz, Mr Mezghani discussed major global shifts in public transport, with focus on sustainability, workforce challenges, and the evolving landscape of mobility.

Decarbonization: A Complex but Vital Goal

Decarbonization is of course an important topic for all mobility players – China already has almost 400,000 electric buses, and India plans to introduce 50,000 in the coming years. Meanwhile, in Europe the EU has set a target for 90% of new city buses to be zero-emission by 2030 and 100% by 2035.

Decarbonizing public transport is also a priority for UITP, but this is a challenging task. As Mezghani explained, shifting to zero-emission vehicles involves more than replacing diesel buses; it requires a complete system overhaul, including charging infrastructure, cooperation with power utilities, and a resilient supply chain.

One key challenge is ensuring that decarbonization remains a political priority. Mezghani noted that while public transport plays a crucial role in reducing emissions, some governments are shifting focus from green initiatives due to other pressing issues, such as inflation.

Workforce Shortages: Making Public Transport Careers Attractive

With over 13 million people employed in public transport globally, staffing remains a major concern. This is especially true in frontline roles such as bus drivers – in Europe alone, some 100,000 bus and coach driver positions are currently vacant. But Mezghani pointed out that attracting talent in technical fields, such as data analysis and engineering, is also increasingly difficult as public transport competes with other industries.

UITP has identified six strategies to make the public transport sector more appealing, including improving employee experience and working conditions, prioritising human factors in tender evaluations, and creating better learning and development opportunities. Diversity is another area of focus – for example, with public transport agencies encouraged to attract more women, given that women make up a significant portion of public transport users worldwide. There are good examples coming from UITP members in this field, such as Metro Istanbul’s efforts to increase the presence of female employees across its operation.

The Debate on Free Fare Public Transport

A presently popular topic is the notion of free fare public transport, which is gaining traction in cities worldwide. However, Mezghani argued that while it may boost ridership, free fare alone won’t address underlying issues, and that quality and frequency of services play an even larger role in encouraging people to switch from cars to public transport.

Examples from cities such as Luxembourg and Dunkirk show that combining free fares with expanded services can be effective. Ultimately, UITP’s stance is that free fare policies should be targeted to support those who need them most, rather than adopted as a blanket approach.

One warning example is the City of Tallinn, which implemented free fare public transport 10 years ago, but cancelled it in 2023. Data from Tallinn shows that growth in car traffic and ownership was higher than that of public transport, so modal shift actually reduced.

Redefining Public Transport for a Broader Vision of Mobility

Public transport today extends beyond traditional buses and trains, embracing various shared mobility solutions. UITP envisions a future where public transport works hand-in-hand with shared mobility services such as taxis, bike-sharing, and carpooling, creating a comprehensive, car-free mobility system. Mezghani pointed to Dubai and London which are already moving in this direction, with integrated transport authorities coordinating diverse services to create seamless journeys for residents.

Preparing for UITP’s Next Summit in Hamburg

UITP, which organised the first-ever global transport congress in 1886, will celebrate 140 years of service with its 66th World Congress in Hamburg in June 2025. This event will focus on key topics like decarbonisation, workforce development, and creating public transport systems that align with sustainable development goals. With a record-breaking exhibition and a forward-looking agenda, the Hamburg summit promises to be an exciting milestone for the public transport community.