The global transport sector and its leaders must shift their focus from simply building infrastructure to improving mobility for users to improve quality of life.

The call emerged from a two-day conference, held in person and virtually, convened by the Transformative Transport Services Design Initiative (TRATSEDI).

The conference, which brought together researchers, policymakers, transport professionals, industry stakeholders and emerging scholars from 27 countries, was themed, ‘Reimagining Transport as a Service for Inclusive, Sustainable Futures’.

The conference examined persistent gaps in transport systems, including accessibility, sustainability, digitalisation, electrification, informal mobility, public transport and the needs of people living with disabilities.

Rather than treating transport as primarily an infrastructure challenge, participants argued that mobility should be assessed by its ability to provide safe, affordable, accessible and dignified movement for different categories of users.

In his presentation, the Conference Chairman, Dr Sudhanshu Bhatt, said that the discussions exposed a fundamental weakness in conventional transport planning, saying that systems could be technically efficient, while still excluding large sections of society.

Bhatt, who is also a lecturer at the Sanjivani University, India, maintained that mobility should be designed around people, noting that poor transport design could reinforce exclusion even as transport has the potential to create economic and social opportunities.

He said the more critical questions for policymakers should be “who can move, who is left behind, and why,” rather than focusing solely on how efficiently people are moved.

The conference also challenged the assumption that digital platforms, electrification and other emerging technologies automatically translate into better transport services.

Also, Associate Professor of Marketing at Melbourne Business School, Dr Samuelson Appau, examined the interaction between global transport platforms and local realities through the experience of Uber in Ghana.

His presentation highlighted the challenges that could arise when mobility technologies developed in one environment are introduced into markets with different infrastructure, regulatory systems, consumer behaviour and established transport practices.

Besides, the Co-author of Transport for Humans, called for transport decisions to incorporate a deeper understanding of human behaviour and user experience.

The discussions suggested that technology should be treated as an enabler of better transport services, rather than an end in itself.

Another major issue raised at the conference was transport justice, particularly the extent to which existing policies and infrastructure reproduce inequalities.

A transport and mobility consultant at South Africa’s Centre for Mobility, Access and Public Space, Dr Gail Jennings, examined how concepts such as justice, redress and rights could be incorporated into practical transport planning.

Participants also considered accessibility and disability, including the needs of people whose mobility challenges may not always be visible to transport planners.

For policymakers, the discussions pointed to the need for transport planning to move beyond aggregate indicators such as road capacity, passenger volumes and journey times and examine who benefits from transport investments and who continues to face barriers.

The conference also examined how digitalisation was changing expectations around transport services.

Co-Founder of T40 Technologies, Folarin Olulana, joined Dr Emmanuel Mogaji in a panel examining the topic: ‘Transforming Transport Through Transformative Service Technologies.’

Drawing on the digitisation of intercity mobility, the discussion explored how technology could improve passenger experiences and modernise transport operations.

However, the broader message from TTC2026 was that digital transformation must be accompanied by improvements in the underlying transport service.

A digital interface could not compensate for unreliable vehicles, poor infrastructure, unsafe journeys or inaccessible services.

Sustainability was another central issue, with discussions covering sustainable transport, electrification and the broader social consequences of mobility systems.

The conference argued for a more integrated approach in which environmental objectives are considered alongside affordability, accessibility and user experience.

In his comment, Mogaji, said the event’s participation from 27 countries demonstrated growing interest in questioning how transport systems were designed.

“What matters to us is not simply the number of people involved, but the diversity of perspectives that they bring,” he said.

According to him, the conference provided a platform for researchers, practitioners, policymakers and communities to examine difficult questions about existing and emerging transport systems.

The international nature of TTC2026 also highlighted the fact that transport problems may differ from country to country but share common underlying challenges.

Issues around access, inclusion, sustainability and service quality cut across developed and developing economies, although their manifestations differ according to infrastructure, income levels, regulation and urban structure.

Another participant, Olawale Olalekan, stated the organisation’s focus extended beyond the annual conference to partnerships, research and practical initiatives capable of improving transport systems.

“TTC is about building a community around a shared ambition for better transport,” he said.