Autonoma fordon i fokus på UITP Summit 2025 i Hamburg

In June 2025, Hamburg became the epicenter of future public transport during the UITP Global Public Transport Summit. Under the theme “Public transport is not only a service – it’s a must,” over 10,000 participants from more than 100 countries gathered to discuss the future of transit, mobility, and sustainable cities. The city took the opportunity to position itself as a European hub for autonomous and electrified mobility.

A Broader Perspective on Public Transport and Mobility
A clear trend emerged: modern public transport is no longer just about more and better buses, trains, or metros. Hamburg showcased a broad strategy, as did Wiener Linien, with a vision to meet citizens’ complete mobility needs—integrating car sharing, bike rentals, on-demand services, and urban planning that prioritizes walking and cycling.

Mobility-as-a-Service (MaaS) apps—once a major hype—had seen fading momentum in recent years. But a joint initiative between Berlin and Hamburg has reinvigorated the field. The app "Max," set to launch in 2026, will let users plan trips, check occupancy levels, purchase tickets, and access services such as car sharing, e-scooters, on-demand. With a wide range of mobility services this one stop shop might bring back MaaS to the agenda. 

Hamburg – A Testbed for Autonomous Public Transport
Hamburg also presented its impressive efforts in real-time transit integration, active mobility, electric ferries, and high-frequency metro service—but what drew the most attention was the city’s role as a testbed for autonomous vehicles. One of the most high-profile demonstrations was the collaboration between Volkswagen, MOIA, Holo, and the city of Hamburg, featuring the ID. Buzz AD – Volkswagen’s first series-produced autonomous electric vehicle. During an exclusive launch on June 17, MOIA and Volkswagen unveiled the ID. Buzz AD, a Level 4 autonomous EV equipped with 13 cameras, 9 LIDAR sensors, and 5 radar units. Designed for ridepooling in Hamburg, the vehicle was presented as a self-driving complement to traditional buses and trains, fully integrated into the public transport system.

Autonomous Vehicles – From Pilot to Reality
Autonomous vehicles were a recurring theme throughout the summit. Manufacturers like Karsan and Holon presented vehicle models expected to achieve type approval for autonomous driving (AD) between 2026–2027. MAN Truck & Bus shared its roadmap for autonomous electric buses by 2030. 

Discussions also addressed the need to develop legal frameworks and safety regulations in parallel with technology. While VW and Hamburger Hochbahn didn’t share the stage, the message was aligned: “We have the funds and we’re ready to buy,” declared Robert Henrich—aimed squarely at larger bus manufacturers, who remain essential even as on-demand and smaller vehicle services gain ground.

UITP Summit 2025 made one thing clear: autonomous vehicles are no longer a vision of the future—they’re becoming a reality in public transport. With Hamburg leading the way and the ID. Buzz AD as a technical icon, the step from pilot projects to real-world deployment has now been taken.

Written by: Adam Laurell, Mobility as a Service AB