On 11 and 12 March 2025, Alexandra Neubert had the opportunity to participate virtually in the 22nd edition of Transforming Transportation conference, hosted by the World Bank Group and WRI Ross Center for Sustainable Cities, in her capacity as the transport sector lead of the Technical Support Unit (TSU) to the Mitigation Action Facility (MAF).
Transforming Transportation has long been a pivotal global platform, bringing together a wide array of stakeholders, including governments, the private and the banking sector, technical experts, and project implementers. The conference provides space to discuss the converging challenges faced by transport systems and explore solutions for their transformation.
This year’s event featured a comprehensive program spread over a week, with two core forum days and technical sessions before and after. A total of five plenary sessions and 15 parallel technical sessions delved into the policies, skills, and resources required to move from planning to the implementation of equitable, sustainable, and resilient transport systems. These sessions were livestreamed, allowing global experts to engage in real-time discussions via chat.
MAF’s Contribution to Key Discussions
As a participant, it was a crucial opportunity for the TSU to contribute, given the conference’s focus closely aligned with the MAF’s mission – turning plans and policies into tangible, effective solutions. Alexandra attended plenary sessions on key topics such as building local capacity, strengthening institutional frameworks, funding resilient infrastructure, improving road safety and improving a just transition for vulnerable communities. She actively engaged in breakout sessions that addressed innovative financing solutions for sustainable transport, the promotion of electric and active mobility, and the deployment of electric vehicles (EVs) in public transportation. In these sessions, Alexandra shared insights from active MAF projects aimed at reducing emissions in the transport sector.
But our TSU member was not alone – many of our MAF transport sector projects and experts were featured prominently throughout the event. A key session on the challenges and best practices in adopting EVs for public transportation was moderated by an expert from WRI Brazil, who leads MAF’s Brazil – E-Buses Industry project in the Detailed Preparation Phase (DDP). Another WRI expert shared valuable insights on building sufficient EV charging infrastructure and the importance of early-stage battery recycling, drawing on their experience in transport projects across Brazil and Kenya. Additionally, government representatives from Pakistan discussed efforts to establish a battery-swapping network for small vehicles, aligning with MAF’s ongoing support in Punjab. The government of Nepal also shared insights on infrastructure development – an essential factor for the successful implementation of our project focused on Electric Public Transport.
Key Takeaways from the Conference
“One of the main takeaways for me was the growing recognition of the importance of local public-private partnerships“, shared Alexandra after attending the conference.
1. Successful transport system transformation requires good and robust planning – it calls for sustained collaboration, local expertise, and joint financing. EVs, for example, are already cost-effective, with their total cost of ownership (TCO) being lower than that of internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles, whether two-wheelers, three-wheeler, or public buses. However, incentivising the private sector, particularly through public investment in essential charging infrastructure, remains a priority. Urban planning and transport sector policies must also provide clear roadmaps, technological standards, and investment security. In this context, the MAF plays a critical role in bridging the gap between technical feasibility and financial leverage to kick-start the sector transformation.
2. The local context plays a pivotal role in determining the appropriate course of action for transport system transformation. In many Latin American countries, the focus if often on redesigning transport ecosystems to encourage a modal shift from private to public or non-motorised transport. In contrast, many African countries need to maintain and improve existing mobility modes to prevent a shift toward individual transport. The MAF is already integrating these regional considerations when selecting projects and will continue to refine its approach in the future.
3. The transport sector is evolving at a rapid pace, with many countries making significant strides in transforming their public transport systems. As battery range and energy density continue to improve, technical barriers are being increasingly addressed. The exchange of lessons learned, and the anticipation of future developments are crucial for advancing these efforts. “I am particularly excited about our first transport sector workshop in June, which will bring together all MAF transport-related projects, providing a platform for further collaboration and knowledge sharing”, concludes Alexandra.
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