INIT Mobility Forum 2026

Hamburg has set out to expand and consistently develop its public transport system. This presentation highlights the role that AI, autonomous driving and digitalisation can play in this context, and it illustrates how Hamburg is already working to turn new technological possibilities into real-world applications. The primary focus is on how innovation can create genuine added value for passengers and transport companies: from easier access to transport and new operational solutions right through to the depot of the future. It also addresses Hamburg’s commitment not merely to observe new technologies, but to boldly test and implement them in the pursuit of creating affordable and sustainable mobility for everyone.

Artificial intelligence is transforming the very foundations of knowledge, value creation and work. The presentation starts by placing this development within the context of current megatrends before discussing the consequences of knowledge production being increasingly taken over by AI systems. The focus is on questions concerning future elites, new business models and how to handle the abundance of knowledge within organisations. The presentation then outlines the key challenges facing public transport, as well as the potential of AI in the areas of personalisation, real-time information, operational control and autonomous mobility. Real-world examples illustrating current and future applications complete the picture. The session concludes with a discussion of the implications for automation, employment and the future of work in the mobility sector.

Digitalisation is fundamentally changing people’s mobility habits and is forcing transport operators to rethink their sales strategies and fare structures. The presentation examines the development of digital sales at VAG Nürnberg, from the first online ticketing solutions right through to modern mobility and ticketing platforms. This includes insights into current market trends, customer needs and key figures relating to the use of digital sales channels. In the light of these developments, this presentation demonstrates why the transition to a largely paperless and cashless sales process is not only a technological necessity, but above all an economic and strategic one. Using specific examples, the challenges and opportunities involved in the transformation of traditional sales channels are explored.

Verkehrsgesellschaft Rosenheim’s presentation provides a concise overview of the ‘VGR-Tap’ ABT pilot project, explains the background and objectives of the trial, and reports on the findings made in the first few months. According to VGR’s and INIT’s initial assessment, ABT systems can be implemented swiftly even in medium-sized fleets (27 buses) and with a third-party on-board computer system (TeleMatrik PTS). The project was implemented within a short timeframe (∼4 months project preparation; 2 weeks of installation and testing); the trial period covers 6 months. The presentation shares practical insights and outlines the potential for scaling.

How can artificial intelligence bring about lasting change to public transport and the workplace? The presentation highlights two aspects of digital transformation: Firstly, the objective of an AI-powered customer service system featuring voice and chatbots, as well as the first steps towards achieving this. On the other hand, it presents already tried-and-tested use cases, such as AI-based analysis of video footage on underground platforms to facilitate safety and risk assessment. It furthermore provides insights into how HOCHBAHN is raising awareness of cyber security and promoting the use of new AI tools within the company.

Rural public transport is undergoing a fundamental disruption. Autonomous driving, digitalisation and AI are transforming not only vehicles, but also the way public transport is organised. Building on VLP’s comprehensive on-demand bus system and the ARuf_LUP project for autonomous vehicles, this presentation sets out a vision for a new mobility system: integrated · intermodal · incessant · industrialised. In this context, local transport companies are evolving into orchestrators that interconnect transport services and decide which services to provide themselves, which to procure on the market, and which to industrialise jointly to achieve significant economies of scale. In this way, technological disruption becomes a strategic opportunity for rural areas – and the need for reliable public services becomes a viable economic promise of mobility.

Why are cashless and hassle-free payments taken for granted in everyday life – but not when it comes to public transport? This is exactly where CALO comes in: Rheinbahn is transitioning to a paperless, cashless and consistently customer-focused ticketing system in order to break down barriers and make access to public transport easier. In light of this context, the presentation demonstrates how this gives rise both to a major transformation project and to an interoperable architecture, paving the way for national transport chains and a future national ABT.

In his keynote speech, Tim Dahlmann-Resing explains how VAG Nürnberg is paving the way for a modern, digital and attractive public transport system. The focus is on artificial intelligence, autonomous driving, mobility platforms as well as digital sales and ticketing solutions. Examples from real-world practice clearly illustrate which innovations are already creating real added value today and where the greatest challenges lie for transport companies. Amidst rising expectations, limited resources and economic pressures, the question ultimately comes down to which measures will actually take public transport to the next level.

The electrification of the bus fleet is also changing the requirements of Leipzig Public Transport (LVB) in terms of its depot management. As existing depots are being modernised, a completely new depot for 120 additional buses will be built by 2029. This transformation raises some key questions: Is automated driving economically viable for depots – and how do buses and trams differ in this respect? What efficiency gains does a smart, cost-optimised charging strategy deliver? How can AI-supported localisation methods make depot management more precise and flexible? Which software solutions need to work together seamlessly to ensure that staffing, blocks and operations continue to function reliably, even in the event of unforeseen incidents? And what role does communication between drivers and the control centre, as well as with customers, play in all this? Is comprehensive digitalisation the key to success?

The presentation illustrates how LVB is tackling these operational challenges and provides insights into how the company is gearing up for the future.

Planning a depot within 38 months, obtaining planning permission, designing it and putting all the different trades out to tender – that was the challenge facing KRN. The aim was to transform seven depots – many of which were plain lots covered in gravel – and an office container into a depot that would meet all the requirements for operating an electric bus depot. This involved closing down three smaller depots.

The new depot will comprise a workshop, a workshop wing, a bus washing facility, 50 charging points and an administrative wing. Step by step, and within rigorous budget constraints, the structural work was completed after 24 months; the installation of the full charging infrastructure and the final commissioning was carried out over the remaining 14 months. Join us on a short but memorable journey in this presentation.

Transit agencies across Canada are moving toward fleet electrification, and many are finding that the shift requires new digital capabilities. Electric buses rely on integrations in software and data for service scheduling, depot operations, and charging activities. Standards such as VDV 463 for data exchange between charge management and depot management systems, VDV 261 for vehicle preconditioning, Open Charge Point Protocol for charger communication, and ISO 15118 for vehicle‑to‑charger interaction provide the structure for these integrations. These standards are widely used in Europe but remain unfamiliar to many Canadian agencies. This presentation highlights how these standards fit together to create a complete fleet electrification IT architecture.