The UN General Assembly designated the period 2026-2036 as the Decade of Sustainable Transport and invited UITP to contribute to the implementation plan. However, the climate crisis and labour shortages, particularly of drivers and technicians, are putting pressure on the sector. The UITP Policy Board met in Porto to discuss research priorities and address these challenges.
Industry Challenges and Recruitment Strategies
By 2030, 87,000 bus drivers will be needed in Germany, while France anticipates a shortage of 100,000 employees. To meet this challenge, the sector must attract, train and retain employees. UITP is preparing a Policy Brief to help public transport organisations improve the employee experience and make the sector more attractive.
Inclusion of Women in Public Transport
Women represent only 19% of the workforce in public transport. Training, recruiting and retaining more women would make the sector more inclusive and alleviate the workforce shortage. To recruit and retain more women, it is necessary to offer an inclusive and safe service.
Adaptation to Climate Change
Climate change requires adaptation.COP28 included public transport in the final resolution for the first time.59% of PTOs and PTAs mention climate adaptation, while a quarter do not consider it in their strategy. The UITP will soon publish a Climate Change Adaptation Framework and a Policy Brief on adaptation and resilience.
Commitment to Resilience
To ensure continuity of services during environmental disasters, the sector needs to be future-proofed.By connecting with others and learning from best practices, the sector can avoid damage and disruption.
