Global Mobility Call to make debate on the bus sector a key element of new mobility at FIAA

On 24 September, Global Mobility Call will bring to FIAA, the International Bus and Coach Fair, a debate that has a direct impact on the daily lives of millions of people: how to make the bus a more useful, integrated, sustainable, smart and reliable part of the new mobility landscape.

Under the title “The bus that connects new mobility: system, service and trust”, this conference, held from 10.00 to 14.00 at IFEMA MADRID, will bring together representatives from public authorities, operators, industry, energy companies, technology firms and experts. The aim is not simply to analyse trends, but to turn the challenges facing public transport into concrete and measurable proposals. The format combines a panel of experts of 28 leading figures, then divided into four break-out groups of seven participants for 90 minutes of group work and a public presentation of their results through four elevator pitches.

A round-table discussion to finalise four sector-specific decisions

Montserrat Andújar, Head of the Interurban Transport Division at the Madrid Regional Transport Consortium (CRTM), will open the session and chair the round-table discussion. Carlos Sierra Martín-Serrano, Director of the Transport Service at EMT Madrid, will discuss the role of the bus as the backbone of the region; Yolanda Bermejo, eBus Product Manager at Iberdrola, will address decarbonisation from a perspective focused on vehicles, energy, charging and total cost; Francisco Vilches, Director of Arriva Madrid, will discuss the use of data and artificial intelligence in operations; and Javier Calvarro, Director of Bus Business at Farizon, will address safety, accessibility and the passenger experience.

The format will require speakers to go beyond simply identifying the problem: they will need to identify lessons learned from implementation and outline what steps should be taken over the next twelve months in order to demonstrate a tangible result.

From listening to working: 28 professionals, four break-out groups and proposals presented to the public

Following the round-table discussion, 28 professionals will break out into four working groups for 90 minutes. Each group will have a very specific task: to agree on a shared assessment, select three priorities, draw up a feasible proposal or pilot scheme, define an indicator of success, and summarise the conclusion in a headline or commitment.

From 12.30, the four break-out groups will present their findings in an elevator pitch format to the audience. The session is designed to ensure that knowledge is not confined to internal discussions, but is translated into decisions that are understandable, comparable and capable of being sustained over time.

FIAA and GMC connect industry and the mobility ecosystem

The conference takes place on the final day of FIAA 2026, which is being held from 22 to 24 September at IFEMA MADRID and brings together manufacturers, operators, institutions and professionals from the public transport sector. GMC’s involvement brings a cross-cutting perspective that links the vehicle to service planning, energy, digitalisation, safety and the citizen’s experience.