Why UITP is gathering global data from across the public transport employment landscape

The public transport sector is the cornerstone of urban mobility, connecting people to each other and to opportunities, while promoting environmental sustainability and supporting economic growth. As a major employer, it also has the potential to make decent work a core pillar of decarbonisation. However, the growing challenge of a global workforce shortage threatens the future of reliable and efficient public transport systems.

To address these challenges, the International Association of Public Transport (UITP), in collaboration with the International Transport Workers Federation (ITF), has launched the Global Employment Data for Public Transport project, a global survey which aims to gather vital data on employment trends across the sector.

“This survey is crucial for understanding the scope of global workforce shortages so that targeted strategies can be created to address them,” explains Christel Goossens, UITP’s Business & Human Resources Management Committee Manager, adding “without current and accurate data, it’s difficult to plan for the future and focus on the development of solutions.”

With the data obtained through this survey, UITP will be able to offer insights into employment numbers, the types of jobs available in public transport, and trends that signal either growth or decline across the globe. As a sector with millions of workers worldwide, this initiative will shed light on  workforce issues and conditions, helping governments, operators, and unions find a way forward.

The Global Employment Data for Public Transport project is a joint effort to analyse the state of employment in public transport. The collaboration underscores the shared goal of addressing workforce recruitment and retention  and ensuring that the sector remains resilient, adaptable and characterised by decent work.

“The partnership with ITF is crucial,” Goossens says. “It will allow us to look at all issues from multiple angles, including the needs and trends of the workforce and how technological advancements like automation will impact job roles.”

Alana Dave, Director of Urban Transport at the International Transport Workers Federation (ITF) agrees, adding “by working together, we can develop solutions that benefit both the workers and the industry at large. We need to ensure that public transport generates millions of decent jobs and that workers are also equipped for the future.”

Public transport is a significant global employer, but the sector is facing mounting difficulties in retaining and recruiting the workers it requires. Driver and operator shortages, and a lack of maintenance staff are critical areas of concern. Not to mention the need for more IT and data specialists. As urbanisation, climate change and increasing ridership push demand for public transport to new heights, recruitment challenges have become a central issue.

“The sector is facing a perfect storm of challenges, and we need to understand how labour standards – such as pay levels and the systemic exclusion of women – impact recruitment and retention,” says Dave, adding that “addressing these issues requires a concerted effort from governments, employers, and unions.”

This critical shortage of skilled workers is already leading to delays, service cuts, and reduced capacity in many cities. Left unaddressed, these issues could undermine efforts to make public transport the primary mode of urban mobility.

The Global Employment Data for Public Transport survey is designed to address this data gap by collecting comprehensive information on employment trends from urban public transport operators and authorities worldwide. The survey will examine the employment landscape from 2018 to 2023 and forecast future trends up to 2028.

Key sections of the survey include:

• General information: Capturing essential data about participating organisations
• Employment data for 2018: A snapshot of workforce numbers and types of jobs
• Employment data for 2023: The current state of the workforce
• Forecast for 2028: Projecting future employment trends and potential gaps
• Training and development: Evaluating current strategies and future needs in workforce training
• Future trends: Identifying key challenges that may impact the workforce such as automation, sustainability, and digitalisation.

“This data will provide the foundation for a future-ready workforce,” Goossens highlights. “We aim to not only assess the current state but also anticipate future changes and ensure the industry is aligned to sustainability goals and prepared for technological advancements, like automation.”

Another key focus of the survey is the promotion of gender equality and the creation of youth employment strategies. Traditionally, the sector has been male-dominated, with women  underrepresented in many roles. There are also growing questions over the career pathways and support for young workers. UITP and ITF aim to address this imbalance through gender and age disaggregated data and targeted strategies.

Dave stresses “Public transport should reflect the diversity of the communities it serves and by promoting gender equality and offering opportunities for youth employment, public transport can create millions of jobs and build a more inclusive and resilient workforce.”

The survey will gather data on gender representation and available age breakdowns across public transport and highlight the areas which require improvement. This aligns with global efforts to achieve the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 8, which promotes decent work for all.

The results of the Global Employment for Public Transport survey will be used to shape the future of workforce recruitment and retention strategies. By identifying trends such as the impact of automation, electrification, and digitalisation on job roles, UITP and ITF can develop a roadmap for how the sector should evolve.

The final report, to be published in 2025, will offer actionable recommendations for public transport operators, governments, trade unions and other stakeholders.

These insights will be presented at the UITP Global Public Transport Summit in Hamburg in 2025, where leaders will come together to discuss the future of the sector. This major event will provide a platform for discussing the workforce challenges facing the sector and exploring innovative solutions to ensure that public transport remains the backbone of urban mobility.

UITP and ITF are urging public transport operators, authorities, and stakeholders across the world to participate in the survey. The data collected will play a vital role in shaping the future of public transport employment and addressing the challenges ahead.

“We need as much participation as possible to get a clear picture of the global workforce landscape,” Goossens says. “Your input is critical in helping us understand the challenges and opportunities in the sector.”

By contributing to the survey, participants will help inform policy decisions and ensure that the public transport sector is sustainable, inclusive, and capable of meeting the growing demand for urban mobility.

Click here and take the survey now!