Exploring the Future of Urban Mobility at the UITP Eurasia Conference 2024

The UITP Eurasia Conference 2024 brought together leading voices in urban transport from across the globe. Experts, innovators, and policymakers from regions as diverse as India, Israel, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Nigeria, South Africa, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, Uzbekistan, the United States, and Hong Kong gathered to share knowledge, explore trends, and discuss the future of sustainable urban mobility. This year’s conference, held in the historic city of Kayseri, Turkey, from 18-20 September, highlighted the critical role of public transport in addressing global challenges such as climate change, urban resilience, and the development of sustainable communities.

With a focus on clean energy vehicles, the conference emphasised the need for both electrification and a broader modal shift to public transport. Participants explored strategies to enhance the organisation and resilience of public transport systems at both policy and operational levels. Central to these discussions was the need for innovative financial solutions to ensure the long-term sustainability of public transport networks.

The conference began with a members-only Workshop Day, offering in-depth sessions on key technical topics. The first workshop focused on Life Cycle Cost Analysis (LCCA) for different e-bus deployment options. Participants examined the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) model, which includes vehicle acquisition, operational, maintenance, and other lifecycle costs. This approach helps stakeholders make informed decisions by evaluating the economic feasibility of various e-bus systems.

In the second session, attendees delved into the complexities of route analysis and battery capacity for e-buses. The discussion highlighted how technical requirements, such as scheduling and line management, impact battery autonomy and fleet size. Successful e-bus implementation requires thoughtful planning to address these challenges and ensure smooth operations.

The official conference day brought together transport experts, city officials, and industry leaders to discuss the latest trends in public transport and clean energy. Key topics included the electrification of public transport fleets, the necessity of shifting from private cars to public transport, and how high-level policy can support this transition. Speakers emphasised the wide-ranging benefits of public transport, such as improved safety, public health, job creation, and reduced congestion. The message was clear: public transport is not a cost but an investment with numerous societal and economic benefits.

The keynote speech was delivered by Mohamed Mezghani, UITP General Secretary, who highlighted the growing political support for public transport worldwide. He noted that public transport requires institutional backing to expand, as it is a public service that delivers significant benefits. Mezghani stressed that people will only move away from private cars if comfortable public transport alternatives are provided, and that the goals of the Paris Agreement cannot be met without clear objectives for the introduction of clean transport.

The conference opened with a discussion on policies promoting the use of clean vehicles in urban public transport and how to implement these policies, with a focus on resilience and disaster preparedness. This session was moderated by Dr. Safak Hengirmen Tercan, Head of the Traffic and Transportation Committee and Executive Board Member of Gaziantep Metropolitan City Council, and Associate Professor at Hasan Kalyoncu University.

Kayseri Mayor Dr. Memduh Büyükkılıç announced the city’s upcoming renewable energy projects: a 21 MW wind power plant and a 1.8 MW rooftop solar plant, both set to launch by the end of 2024. These initiatives will produce twice the energy needed for public transport, helping reduce 15,000 tons of carbon emissions annually. Already, 40% of Kayseri’s public transport operates on clean energy, and the city’s Climate Change Action Plan aims to achieve carbon neutrality by 2028.

Mücahit Arman, Head of Strategy Development at Turkey’s Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure, shared that Turkey is working to reduce carbon emissions by increasing the share of rail transport from 5% to 22% by 2053, with investments totalling $273.8 billion. Turkey aims to pioneer rapid transport development in the region.

UITP sees its role in providing expertise and raising awareness of public transport’s contribution to national decarbonisation plans, highlighted Mohamed Mezghani. Leading cities like Paris, which has doubled its public transport network and introduced dedicated electric bus lines, and Vienna, where 80% of trips are made via public transport, serve as examples of best practices.

Orhan Solak, Deputy Director of Climate Change at Turkey’s Ministry of Environment, Urbanization, and Climate Change, confirmed that Turkey is rolling out programmes at both national and local levels. While 12 Turkish cities currently have urban rail systems, plans are underway to expand rail transport to cities with populations below 500,000.

The discussion shifted from politics to finance and procurement, led by Jaspal Singh, UITP Senior Director of Membership & Global Operations. Tali Trigg, Principal for Green Cities and Electric Mobility at the EBRD, showcased projects supporting public transportation infrastructure, emphasising the need for proactive planning to avoid congestion. Ragub Garazade, Transport Specialist at the World Bank, noted that the WB is the largest provider of development financing for sustainable mobility, with a transport portfolio exceeding $34.2 billion.

Nevzat Bayrak, R&D Centre Manager at Metro Istanbul, explained how companies are solving procurement challenges by focusing on innovation, localisation, and technology transfer, particularly through Industry Cooperation Projects.

The session also featured insights from India, where Kahini Ojha, Researcher on Low Emission Zones and Electric Buses, shared developments in transitioning to clean energy vehicles. Participants were invited to the upcoming UITP India Bus Seminar in New Delhi on 20-21 November 2024.

Feyzullah Gündoğdu, Head of UITP Eurasia, provided an overview of solutions for implementing clean vehicles, highlighting the growing popularity of hydrogen fuel cell electric buses. Mehmet Canbulut, CEO of Kayseri Ulaşım A.Ş., expressed concerns about technological risks but remained optimistic about future financial opportunities for investment in new bus technologies.

Transport updates on clean vehicle deployment from other cities were provided by Zeynel Albas (IETT, Istanbul), Idowu Oguntona (Lagos Bus Service), Ersel Çetin (ESHOT, Izmir), Mehmet Akif Erdoğan (Kayseri Ulaşım), and Orynbassar Agbayev (CTS, Astana).

The final day of the conference was dedicated to technical and cultural site visits in and around Kayseri. Participants enjoyed a guided tour of the city’s historical landmarks, providing a glimpse into Kayseri’s rich cultural heritage. The visit also included a trip to the Kayseri Transport LRT Depot, where attendees observed the city’s modern light rail transit system and efforts to integrate e-buses into the urban fleet.

The day concluded with a journey to Cappadocia, a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its stunning landscapes and ancient cave dwellings. This cultural excursion offered a unique opportunity for attendees to reflect on the conference discussions and consider how public transport can support sustainable tourism and regional development.

As urbanisation continues to grow and climate challenges intensify, the role of public transport is more critical than ever. Electrification, modal shift, and strategic policy implementation are key components of this transformation. However, the success of these efforts will rely heavily on collaboration between local and national governments, industry leaders, and communities.

By sharing knowledge and fostering collaboration, the UITP Eurasia Conference has once again strengthened the global movement towards sustainable mobility. Together, we are working to build cleaner, safer, and more inclusive cities for future generations.