Policy Review

An examination of recent policy and regulatory initiatives

• New Metro Rail Policy 2017: Metro as a tool for urban transformation

  November 1, 2017
  In August 2017, the Government of India approved the new Metro Rail Policy 2017 for expanding and regulating metro rail services across India.

• FS Italiane’s Industrial Plan 2017-2026: Comprehensive plan for integrated mobility

  October 1, 2017
  In September 2016, Ferrovie dello Stato Italiane S.p.A. (FS Italiane) announced the Industrial Plan for 2017-2026, which involves an investment of EUR94 billion to increase revenues and transform into a global integrated mobility and logistics company.

• PPP in public transport in the US: FTA launches NPRM to spur private investment

  September 1, 2017
  On July 31, 2017, the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) announced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) for the Private Investment Project Procedures (PIPP), which aims to remove impediments for public-private partnerships (P3s) and attract private investment to plan, develop, finance, design, construct, maintain and operate public transport systems.

• Bhutan National Transport Policy: Vision up to 2040

  August 1, 2017
  Standing on the cusp of a higher growth trajectory, Bhutan aims to improve its overall transport infrastructure to meet the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

• Dubai Smart Transport Strategy: Self-driving vehicles by 2030

  July 1, 2017
  In June 2017, Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) announced plans to implement a Smart Transport Strategy for the period 2017-2021, to transform 25 per cent of Dubai’s transport trips into self-driving by 2030.

• UK Bus Services Act: Granting more authority to improve bus services

  June 1, 2017
  The UK Bus Services Bill received Royal Assent on April 27, 2017, becoming an Act of Parliament (law). The Act is an amendment to the Transport Act of 2000.

• Auckland Transport Asset Management Plan: Future renewals and maintenance investments

  May 1, 2017
  Auckland Transport’s (AT) Asset Management Plan 2015–2018 sets out the way forward for the agency to manage the assets that it is responsible for during 2015-18, looking forward 10 years in detail and 30 years in outline.

• Argentina Transport Plan: Investment in urban mobility

  April 1, 2017
  The Government of Argentina has launched an ambitious transport plan for the period 2016-2019.

• EU’s revised ERTMS Deployment Plan: Long-term targets for 2030, short-term goals for 2022

  March 1, 2017
  In January 2017, the European Commission (EC) adopted an implementing regulation with a new timetable for the roll-out of the European Rail Traffic Management System (ERTMS).

• PPP in public transport in the Middle East: Many policies and projects underway

  February 1, 2017
  With more than USD64 billion worth of metro and rail projects planned in the Middle East, the public transport sector holds big potential for private investors.

• FTA's Final Rule for SGR: Focus on TAM, NTD

  January 1, 2017
  On July 26, 2016, the United States Department of Transportation's (USDOT) Federal Transit Administration (FTA) published the Final Rule for transit agencies to monitor and manage capital assets such that assets are maintained in a state of good repair (SGR).

• Cyber-security in European public transport: Field of growing importance

  December 1, 2016
  The public transport sector is fast witnessing deployment of new technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT), Big Data and Open Data to offer new facilities to passengers and improve overall system efficiency. However, these technologies also bring with them a set of new issues, including cyber threats.

• Singapore's New Rail Financing Framework: Emphasis on sustainable development

  November 1, 2016
  In July 2016, the Singapore Land Transport Authority (LTA) signed an agreement with SMRT Trains to implement the New Rail Financing Framework (NRFF).

• Transport policy in Iran: Opening of new opportunities

  October 1, 2016
  The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action entered into by the E3/EU+3 (Germany, France, the United Kingdom, the European Union, China, Russia and the United States) with Iran on July 14, 2015, has paved the way for the prospect of an increase in long-term investments by Western companies in Iran after many years of restrictions.

• Smart Urban Mobility in India: Focus under Smart Cities Mission

  September 1, 2016
  With growing economic activity and rising urbanisation in India, several cities are reaching limits to growth because of the inadequate capacity of their transport systems.

• EU's Fourth Railway Package: Creation of a single railway area

  August 1, 2016
  The European Commission (EC) drafted the Fourth Railway Package in January 2013 to remove transportation barriers and create a single European railway area.

• FTA's Final Rule on Transportation Planning: Focus on performance-based approach

  July 1, 2016
  On May 27, 2016, the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) published the final rule on State wide and Non-metropolitan Transportation Planning and Metropolitan Transportation Planning.

• Lima Transport Plan 2025: Bus, BRT and metro developments

  June 1, 2016
  Over the past decade, the Lima-Callao Metropolitan Region (LMR) grew rapidly and is now one of the most congested and polluted regions in Latin America.

• Transport Strategy for the Greater Dublin Area 2016-35: A comprehensive plan for the future

  May 1, 2016
  In April 2016, the National Transport Authority (NTA) published the Transport Strategy for the Greater Dublin Area for the period 2016 to 2035.

• Dhaka Transport Policy: Traffic management and infrastructure expansion

  April 1, 2016
  Dhaka's transport policy is focussed on the need to co-ordinate and develop an efficient public transport system to ease traffic congestion, develop transport infrastructure, and co-ordinate service across different means of transportation.