Innovation will drive public transport forward

Jaspal Singh, Senior Expert in IT and Development at UITP, the International Association of Public Transport, looks back on the recent edition of IT-TRANS, and casts an eye on the future of the sector with innovation as the key.

Within the world of public transport, we talk a lot about the here and now. How are people moving around our cities? What’s the best way to get them out of cars and into sustainable modes of movement? This is the thinking of those who work within our sector each and every day. Focusing on the present helps us to define the conversation of today – but in order to keep moving our cities forward, we must always have an eye on the future.

One word that can define that future direction is innovation. Innovation is the key to advancing, developing and ensuring more sustainable, liveable cities for everyone.

At the most recent edition of IT-TRANS, the largest event of its kind in the sector to focus on the development of technology and digitalisation within public transport, innovation was present across the topics and themes that defined the agenda.

There are many exciting innovations being explored in public transport, from contactless and open loop payments to on-demand mobility, artificial intelligence, Mobility-as-a-Service (MaaS), 5G, cybersecurity, autonomous mobility, and more, and the eighth edition of IT-TRANS that was held earlier this year was the best place to explore those innovative developments.

In fact, since IT-TRANS began in 2008, public transport has changed a great deal, with more than a decade’s worth of innovation revolutionising our sector. This is not only due to new technological advancements fostering better innovative solutions, it is also because those working within the sector know how important it is to making sure the very best mobility options are on the table for our passengers.

In order to make everyone aware of the latest innovative developments in public transport, we have to always advocate for the sector at every opportunity.

The power of public transport

It’s safe to say that public transport is not always considered the most innovative of sectors. For some, the sector may have a reputation that seems less modern, not as attractive as others. But I would say the exact opposite. Public transport is alive with technological developments, and innovative solutions. In fact public transport is the key to making our cities healthier and contributing towards cleaner air, and better living for all.

Public transport serves our cities, for movement, for access to employment, education, healthcare, leisure and the arts. Therefore, in order to be the best it can be for those who choose urban living, it must constantly revolutionise and innovate.

At UITP, we know how important the next steps in urban mobility are, and as the public transport sector tries to rebuild to a future beyond the pandemic, those steps need to be carefully defined to deliver the best results. One of the best purposes of events such as IT-TRANS is that the very best minds are brought around the table to help define that future. Collaboration is key, and that begins with a conversation.

We need our cities to be as accessible and sustainable as possible, built around the people who inhabit them. That future belongs to ecological and smart city concepts that combine mobility, sustainability and smart, intelligent concepts. If we combine all options, then we can foster innovative solutions.

And with public transport in cities across the globe needing to continuously adapt to become more resilient and more innovative to best face any issue that impacts their systems – whether that be a global pandemic, or the devastation of climate change – innovation will be a key factor in all of this.

At UITP, alongside our members, our work on publications, events, projects, capacity building, committees, and working bodies will be driven by a focus on the future, and that future will be driven by innovation. When it comes to city living, a strong and innovative public transport will lead the way.