Renée Amilcar to step down as UITP President

Renée Amilcar will step down as President of the International Association of Public Transport (UITP) as she takes on a new role as Chief Executive Officer and President of Mobilité Infra Québec.

UITP announced the news to its Executive and Policy Boards during meetings in Istanbul, confirming that Amilcar must focus on her new position in Québec. She will remain in post for a period to allow for a smooth transition, while the process begins to appoint her successor.

Amilcar was first elected as UITP President during the General Assembly at the 2023 UITP Summit and became the association’s first female President. She was overwhelmingly re-elected by the association’s membership with a 100 percent mandate during the most recent Summit in Hamburg, June 2025. At the time, she told Cities Today that the renewed mandate was an opportunity to strengthen the global case for public transport as a climate solution.

“Public transport is not just a mobility solution in our cities–it’s a climate solution,” she said urging governments to explicitly include public transport in their climate commitments ahead of COP30. “UITP is growing its work with international bodies such as the UNFCCC, and through platforms like COP, we’re urging governments to embed stronger public transport targets.”

Reflecting on her tenure, Amilcar said: “I will take all that I have learnt from my role and put it into delivering the best mobility options for the people of Québec. UITP has been a huge part of my life, and although I will be sad to step down, I will ensure that the transition towards new leadership is smooth.”

Throughout her presidency, Amilcar placed emphasis on equity and inclusion. In the 2025 Cities Today interview, she said: “I’m not shy to introduce quotas if required–let’s be bold on DEI and let’s embed it in our journey. You cannot aspire to be what you cannot see.”

UITP Secretary General Mohamed Mezghani thanked her for her contribution, including her leadership and the positive impact she has had on the association.

“She has been an eloquent advocate for public transport, and a passionate supporter of UITP for more than 15 years,” Mezghani said. “On behalf of UITP, we wish her the very best in Québec, and I know her legacy will be felt across our association and membership.”

UITP confirmed that its work will continue without interruption, with continuity ensured and its strategic direction unchanged.