Summary - Autonomous Vehicles and Public Transport in Europe 2026

Europe stands at a turning point for autonomous mobility.

After years of pilots, the focus has shifted to scaling, integration with public transport, and regulatory harmonisation across EU member states. Some of the major developments include the EU General Safety Regulation that mandates automation readiness by 2025 and launch of the new ITS Directive 2.0 and the EU General Safety Regulation (2024) that set data & safety standards for AVs. The Netherlands, Germany, and the UK are leading these initiatives. Moreover, 40+ European cities are testing autonomous buses and shuttles. There is also a noticeable shift from pilot to procurement – cities now buy fleets. To keep pace with these developments, OEMs and operators are scaling.

In light of these developments, Global Mass Transit is organising the fifth conference on ‘Autonomous Vehicles & Public Transport Europe 2026’ on May 27 at the Amsterdam Marriott Hotel.

The conference is part of Global Mass Transit Week, which also features events on Zero Emission Ferries (May 26) and Clean Buses in Europe (May 28–29).

The mission of the conference is to explore policies, technologies, and partnerships shaping the future of autonomous mobility in Europe. Discussions will focus on the evolving EU regulatory landscape, integration of AVs into existing transit networks, advances in vehicle automation and charging, and the readiness of digital and physical infrastructure. The conference will also highlight case studies from leading European cities, offering practical lessons on deployment, financing, and scaling of autonomous public transport systems.

The conference will bring together key stakeholders driving this transition - from OEMs and city operators to investors, regulators, and infrastructure providers - to define how automation, electrification, and digitalisation can transform European mobility networks.

Europe’s AV Roadmap 2030 - Regulatory harmonization & safety standards
Focus on EU ITS Directive 2.0, General Safety Regulation, and evolving AV frameworks
Integrating AVs into public transport, lessons from pilots
Case studies and best practices
Procurement and funding models for shared autonomous fleets
Planning and operational challenges for public transport authorities and operators
OEM and operator perspectives – Scaling shuttles, robotaxis, and fleet electrification
AI, deep learning, and autonomous driving software stacks
Sensor fusion: LiDAR, RADAR, cameras, and INS systems
Cloud computing and edge AI for AV coordination
ADAS systems for safety and route optimisation
Digital infrastructure needs: V2X, V2I, V2V communication systems
5G/6G readiness and network reliability for autonomous operations
Digital twins for simulation, modeling, and real-time system optimisation
Charging and energy supply infrastructure for autonomous bus and shuttle fleets
Data-driven fleet management and predictive maintenance
Safety, digital infrastructure, and cybersecurity in AV public transport
The future of shared, on-demand, and last-mile mobility using AVs
Future plans, funding models, and technology integration roadmaps
Business models and economic sustainability for AVs in public transport