The concept of free or reduced-cost public transport is gaining renewed traction in response to inflation and soaring fuel prices, and a need to bring riders back after the pandemic. New announcements always grab headlines but experts at the MOVE conference in London this week...
Private companies have long focused on ‘customer experience’ as central to success, especially as digitalisation has accelerated. Although they have very different goals, cities are starting to use some of the same tactics to improve services and meet residents’ rising expectations. And they’re appointing senior...
The cities of Munich, Grenoble and San Sebastian have been recognised for their achievements in sustainability and innovation at the Eurocities Awards 2022 in Espoo, Finland. The winners were selected by a panel of expert judges, who found each city demonstrated a solid commitment to...
Plans to create a 145,000 square metre ‘urban forest’ in the Spanish capital Madrid are one step closer after the city selected two architecture firms – West 8 and Porras Guadiana – out of 40 applicants. The Madrid Nuevo Norte project aims to reinvent the city’s...
Copenhagen has topped the inaugural Digital Cities Index from Economist Impact, the research and analysis arm of The Economist Group. The global ranking rates 30 cities across four pillars: connectivity, services, culture and sustainability. Research combines quantitative and qualitative analysis, and a survey of 3,000...
London’s Mayor Sadiq Khan has announced an investment of £500,000 (US$613,000) to create a new platform to boost data innovation. A data governance body will also be established for the first time. The new Data for London platform will act as a ‘central library’ for...
New York’s Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) is developing a new strategic plan to enhance bicycle, pedestrian and micromobility access to its facilities and services. The plan is set to launch later in 2022, with the agency saying it will “redouble” its commitment to creating equitable...
Transport for Wales (TfW) is trialling a new onboard digital service that provides personalised journey information announcements for passengers with hearing loss. The Hearing Enhanced Audio Relay (HEAR) application has been tested on TfW trains for the past two months, enabling passengers connected to the...
The German government is launching a €9 ($US9.60) unlimited monthly travel pass this week as part of plans to boost public transport ridership and ease the effects of inflation and skyrocketing energy costs. From 1 June to 31 August 2022, anyone who purchases the discounted...
One of London’s most eagerly anticipated transport projects – the £19 billion (US$24 billion) Elizabeth line – opened for business today, with passengers queuing through the night to be first on the new trains. The service promises to drastically cut journey times across London and...
