The future of public transport

People are demanding more from the public transport ecosystem

Riders want to be treated as customers not passengers; the transport sector wants to be leaders of decarbonisation, not just followers; and the changing role of government will see public agencies increasingly becoming the commissioner of markets rather than network operator.

KPMG International, in a commissioned survey conducted by Forrester Consulting, engaged 483 leaders from public transportation organisations across the globe to understand their perspectives on the sector’s future

The report is a game-changing publication that delves into the opportunities and challenges facing the public transport sector.

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Future of public transport

These are pivotal times for public transport.

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Six signals of change for public transport

Explore the signals of change and download the report to see what leaders from around the world are predicting on the future of public transport.

Customer

Customer and community expectations are changing. They are demanding services that are digital, personalised to their needs and preferences, accessible and equitable.
Political and economic

Public transport is a key enabler of sustainable economic growth and equitable opportunity. Leaders should balance the need for investment with the long-term financial sustainability of the state.
Environmental

The need to decarbonise and minimise pollution is becoming central to public transport and place planning for the future. Environmental sustainability is becoming a key focus area of reporting and reflective of the demand for greater transparency.
Technology

Emerging digital technologies are disrupting the status quo. New operational technology is in the early phases of reshaping networks and is expected to link with customer, asset and enterprise technologies that enhance operations and decision-making around services.
Competitive

Mobility-as-a-Service and autonomous vehicles have the potential to be cost-competitive with public transport services. This introduces a new level of competition for ridership and presents the need for public transport services to attract customers in order to maintain the financial sustainability while delivering environmental and social outcomes.
Regulatory

The speed of innovation increasingly exceeds the rate at which traditional regulatory systems can adapt, presenting an inherent challenge for public transport regulators. Regulation frameworks should become more dynamic in order to respond to emerging modes and new private-sector players – helping to ensure safe, controlled, seamless experiences.

Decarbonisation in action

The need to decarbonise and minimise pollution is becoming central to public transport and place planning for the future. Environmental sustainability is becoming a key focus area of reporting and reflective of the demand for greater transparency. Many countries are investing in electrification of transport fleets as part of their effort to decarbonise.

In Sydney, 36 million Australian dollars (AUD) has been invested to transform a bus depot into a next-generation electric-charging terminal via rooftop solar panels and stationary batteries. The aim is to generate as much onsite renewables as possible to charge the battery and offset additional electricity to charge electric buses.

Decarbonisation Services