Get Ready for the Public Transport Revolution at Hamburg's UITP Summit
Global metropolis, Hamburg, crowned as the epicenter of public transit innovation. - Local transport sector flourishes in Hamburg, serving as a global focal point.
Mark your calendars for this June, as the vibrant city of Hamburg becomes the epicenter of the public transport revolution. The International Association of Public Transport (UITP) summit is about to take the stage, attracting a whopping 10,000 professionals and 300 exhibitors from worldwide locales. This one-of-a-kind event is a testament to Hamburg's status as a model region for the mobility of the future, according to the city's Transport Senator, Anjes Tjarks (Greens).
Autonomous driving is the main focus of the congress. Spectators can expect to witness buses communicating with traffic lights, smart and eco-friendly traffic jam prediction systems powered by artificial intelligence, a helpful avatar providing route information at bus stops, and more just around the corner.
Hamburg's impressive rapid transit projects and the Association of German Transport Companies' annual meeting will also take place during the congress. In addition, this year's UITP Summit is set to be a world-leading trade fair, return to Hamburg in 2027, and offer a public day for all Hamburg residents on Saturday at Jungfernstieg, featuring a lively program of transport companies and projects.
Hamburg's successful bid to host the UITP Summit twice demonstrates its leading role in public transport, as Tjarks revealed to the German Press Agency. "We have a development concept for public transport in Hamburg that emphasizes expansion and innovation, particularly focusing on future topics and user experience," he added.
Pitted against Vienna, Geneva, and Istanbul, Hamburg's winning streak is no joke. And while expanding public transport is the primary focus to facilitate the mobility transition, other important aspects such as walking, cycling, infrastructure renovation, and intelligent parking solutions are also on the city's agenda.
According to the current "Mobility in Germany" (MID) study, the modal split (proportion of different transport forms in total traffic) in Hamburg is 29% for car traffic, 32% for walking, 16% for cycling, and 23% for public transport. For comparison, public transport accounts for 27% of trips in Berlin, while car traffic clocks in at 24%. Tjarks is optimistic, pointing out that Hamburg's share of car traffic has dropped ten percentage points between 2008 and 2023.
Berlin might be ahead in some aspects, but Hamburg is collaborating with Berlin on autonomous driving, according to Tjarks. Autonomous driving can't be introduced alone in Hamburg due to the need for vehicles to be developed and built for a larger market, as he explained. Thus, Tjarks believes that joining forces with Berlin is the logical next step for promoting autonomous driving and implementing it in public transportation.
Cutting-Edge Innovations to Watch Out For
- Hayden AI Technology: Hayden AI will showcase its automated bus lane and bus stop enforcement technology, designed to boost bus speeds by 5% and reduce collisions by up to 30%. The technology is already in use across various U.S. cities and now being piloted in Europe[1].
- Iveco Bus's Electric Vehicles: The summit will feature Iveco Bus's 12-meter E-WAY battery electric bus, along with immersive mixed reality experiences and discussions on digital services for energy management and fleet optimization[1].
- JBM's European Market-Tailored Vehicle: Indian manufacturer JBM will launch a new battery-electric bus model for the European market during the summit[1].
- MAN Lion's City E with New Battery Generation: MAN Truck & Bus will present the Lion's City 10 E with advanced battery features to display their dedication to sustainable urban mobility[5].
Explore, Learn and Innovate
The summit offers innovation-focused guided tours and keynotes from inspiring speakers like Benita Matofska, discussing sustainability and innovation, while forums delve into topics such as BEV operation in Europe[4][1]. Don't miss out on the opportunity to participate in the discussions, learn about the latest innovations, and contribute to the future of public transportation!
[1] UITP. (2025). UITP Congress Audience Insights. www.uitp.org/content/uitp-governance/uitp-resource-centre/uitp-publications/2020-2024/2024/311-uitp-congress-audience-insights
[3] UITP. (n.d.). UITP Congress Guided Tours. www.uitp.org/content/uitp-congress/programme/guided-tours
[4] UITP. (n.d.). UITP Congress Keynote Speakers. www.uitp.org/content/uitp-congress/programme/keynote-speakers
[5] UITP. (2025). MAN Lion’s City E Bus with New Battery Generation. news.mantruckandbus.com/man-lions-city-10-e-bus-with-new-battery-generation-eagerly-awaited/
- The UITP Summit, taking place in Hamburg, will showcase several advancements in vocational training, as witnessed in the exhibition of Hayden AI Technology's automated bus lane and bus stop enforcement technology, designed to boost the efficiency of public transport.
- The summit offers a platform for finance and technology industries to collaborate and discuss innovative solutions for public transport, such as Iveco Bus's 12-meter E-WAY battery electric bus, and JBM's European Market-Tailored Vehicle, both showcasing at the event.
- The city's transport policy is underscored by its commitment to promoting artificial intelligence and technology in public-transit systems, as evidenced by the introduction of autonomous driving concepts and smart traffic solutions, such as those on display at the UITP Summit.
