International Association of Public Transport

History

Founded on 17 August 1885, initially as the Union Internationale des Tramways (International Union of Tramways), the association is headquartered in Brussels, Belgium, with 13 offices around the world. With more than 2000 members in over 100 countries, UITP advocates for sustainable mobility and produces publications, oversees projects, hosts global events and brings together all those with a vested interested in advancing public transport.

Starting off, the association mainly focused on the development of tramway systems across Europe. However, as urban mobility increased, the scope of the association expanded multinationally. This expansion introduced the integration of buses, railways, metros, etc.

Model

The International Association of Public Transport (UITP) envisions a future where public transportation systems are more sustainable, accessible, and integrated with new technologies. Key strategies include increasing the use of zero-emission vehicles, promoting multimodal transportation options, and enhancing digitalization for better efficiency and passenger experience. UITP also emphasizes the importance of partnerships between the public and private sectors to meet evolving urban mobility needs and reduce carbon footprints. These plans align with global efforts to combat climate change and make cities more livable.

Organization

UITP represents an international network of more than 2,000 member companies in over 100 countries and covers all modes of public transport: metro, light rail, regional and suburban railways, bus, trolleybus, taxi and ride-hailing, and waterborne transport. It also represents collective transport in a broader sense, with active committees and working bodies on digitalisation, I.T., sustainable development, design and culture, human resources, transport economics, security, and more.

UITP is headquartered in Brussels, Belgium, with thirteen regional and liaison offices worldwide, located in Abidjan, Casablanca, Dubai, Hong Kong, Istanbul, Johannesburg, New York, São Paulo, Singapore, Mexico & Central America, New Delhi, and Auckland).

The General Secretariat is managed by Mohamed Mezghani, who has been working for more than 30 years in public transport and urban mobility-related fields and became the association's Secretary General in January 2018. He previously served in a number of internal positions, including as UITP Deputy Secretary General. His mandate was renewed for a second term, beginning in January 2023.

The President of UITP is Renée Amilcar, the General Manager of OC Transpo in Ottawa, who was voted into office in June 2023 as the association's first female President and re-elected in 2025. Joining the City of Ottawa as the General Manager in 2021, Renée oversees many projects in her daily role, including the electrification of Ottawa's transit fleet and the deployment of 350 zero-emission buses.

Being a nonprofit, funding partially comes through memberships and collaborations with companies and individuals. The association selects its members based on their role and contributions to the public transport sector. Membership is open to a wide range of stakeholders, including public transport operators, authorities, policymakers, researchers, and industry suppliers. The organization emphasizes collaboration and innovation, bringing together those who are committed to advancing sustainable urban mobility. Key members include prominent transport authorities like Transport for London (TfL) and industry leaders such as Siemens Mobility, Alstom, and Bombardier.

Activities

• UITP gathers and analyses facts and figures to provide quantitative and qualitative information on key aspects of public transport and urban mobility.
• UITP manages an online information center, MyLibrary, which gives access to the full texts of UITP's studies and conference papers, as well as references to books, articles, and websites. A picture library and statistics on public transport operators are also available.
• UITP carries out studies, projects, and surveys; the results are made available in brochures and reports.
• UITP leads projects for international institutions, such as the European Commission. Under the framework of these projects, UITP launches and participates in thematic networks of mobility experts on public transport policy and organisation.
• UITP issues official positions on global mobility issues, representing the views of the sector.
• UITP tries to engage a number of international bodies, such as the United Nations (UNEP, UNDESA, UNFCCC, UNHABITAT), the World Bank, and European institutions.
• UITP organises training courses, workshops, and seminars for public transport experts.
• UITP is a member of the Group of Representative Bodies.

Bibliography

• Loo, B. P. Y., & Tsang, K. W. (2021). "Future directions for public transport policy" Transport Reviews, 41(3), 270–290
• Mohamed Mezghani - Agenda contributor. World Economic Forum. (n.d.). https://www.weforum.org/agenda/authors/mohamed-mezghani/
• Surveys. UITP. (2018). https://uitp.org/surveys/
• The future of public transport is safe and inclusive: UITP at TRA 2024. UITP. (2022, April 22). https://www.uitp.org/news/the-future-of-public-transport-is-safe-and-inclusive-uitp-at-tra-2024/

References

References

1. (2024). "International Association of Public Transport". [[Union of International Associations]].
2. "Registered entity data {{!}} CBE Public Search".
3. "About".
4. "Going electric: A pathway to zero-emission buses".
5. "Pathways to a multimodal lifestyle: Reinforcing public transport with active and micromobility".
6. "Making the most of digitalisation in public transport".
7. (2009). "Metro, light rail and tram systems in Europe". The European Rail Research Advisory Council and UITP (L’Union internationale des transports publics).
8. (2009). "Metro, light rail and tram systems in Europe". The European Rail Research Advisory Council and UITP (L’Union internationale des transports publics).
9. (June 2001). "Light Rail for Liveable Cities". UITP (L’Union internationale des transports publics).
10. (9 May 2014). "A bright future in store for the bus". UITP (L’Union internationale des transports publics).
11. (May 2012). "Waterborne transport, a unique contribution to enhancing mobility for cities on water". UITP (L’Union internationale des transports publics).
12. (2025-06-15). "A Mandate Renewed: Renée Amilcar Continues as UITP President for 2025-2027 Term". UITP.
13. "Members".
14. "''Light Rail in Figures'' (2014)".
15. (15 June 2018). "Representative Bodies". [[European Union Agency for Railways]].