Public transport development was the key theme of an industry forum at the National Centre RUSSIA

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The modernisation of passenger transport in Russia is undergoing a fundamental shift: from individual fleet replacement programmes to comprehensive infrastructure development and the systematic transformation of urban agglomerations. Modern public transport is setting fundamentally new standards of reliability and accessibility for citizens. These issues were the focus of the plenary session "The Federal Project 'Public Transport Development': From Technological Momentum to a Better Quality of Life" at the "Public Transport 2026" forum, held on 15 October at the National Centre RUSSIA. Participants included the Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation, Marat Khusnullin, the Minister of Transport of Russia, Andrei Nikitin, the President of the Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs (RSPP), Alexander Shokhin, representatives of federal authorities, regional heads and transport industry experts.

Marat Khusnullin noted that measures to improve people's living environment are being implemented under the national project "Infrastructure for Life". He said the national project aligns priorities in spatial development, infrastructure, construction, housing and utilities, directly contributing to an environment where people can live, work and develop comfortably. The Deputy Prime Minister stressed that the outcome of this work is directly linked to achieving the target of improving the quality of the living environment in key settlements by 30% by 2030. He added that this is a particularly challenging task, as it requires a 30% improvement in quality of life across 16 key indicators within this period.

"With people becoming increasingly mobile, the transport system now needs to develop rapidly. This includes public transport, the development of street and road networks, the introduction of intelligent transport systems and a rethink of how parking is organised. Federal support mechanisms and measures have helped replace more than 23,000 vehicles since 2020; transport concessions are being implemented and the regulatory framework is being refined. Steady fleet renewal has become possible thanks to the support of the President of Russia, Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin. We are now at a stage in public transport development that requires systemic organisational and financial changes. Particular attention should also be paid to suburban and urban rail infrastructure. Public transport also holds particular promise for expanding IT services and should be among the most advanced sectors in this area. I am confident that, thanks to Mikhail Vladimirovich Mishustin's continued attention to transport infrastructure and the coordinated work of the Government team, we will overcome every challenge," he said. 

The Deputy Prime Minister observed that the level of public transport development directly affects how satisfied Russians are with their quality of life. The transport system therefore needs to develop rapidly. This includes public transport, the development of street and road networks, the introduction of intelligent transport systems and a rethink of approaches to parking management. Marat Khusnullin recalled that a roadmap to improve parking regulation was approved in December 2025. Its main purpose is to help regions develop their own parking policies. Parking management is a matter of regional planning that significantly affects the comfort of the urban environment, with federal support mechanisms and measures available to assist.

The Deputy Prime Minister stressed the need to address staff shortages, improve drivers' working conditions and make the profession more competitive and attractive in the labour market. Public transport holds particular promise for expanding IT services and should be among the most advanced sectors in this area. Marat Khusnullin noted that the planned changes would provide a foundation for successful cooperation between government and business, encourage new forms of collaboration and give manufacturers a stable three-year production plan.

The Minister of Transport of the Russian Federation, Andrei Nikitin, outlined the key challenges facing the industry today. He said the main problem with public transport concerns organisation and management rather than technology: even a new bus will not satisfy passengers if it fails to arrive on time. To change this, regions have been advised to finance transport through ring-fenced road fund allocations, introduce a guaranteed service operator model and move to the "Infrastructure Menu" of federal support.  

"The key is how public transport services are organised. They must arrive on time. We need to encourage people to use public transport and address parking provision. If it is convenient, people will switch from private cars to buses, trolleybuses or urban trains," noted the Minister of Transport of the Russian Federation, Andrei Nikitin.

The President of the Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs, Alexander Shokhin, discussed the industry's development from the manufacturers' perspective. He said public transport is also a manufacturing issue for the RSPP, as it generates substantial demand for products from a range of industrial sectors.

"In recent years, Russian industrial enterprises have developed their own technological solutions. We often cite high-speed rolling stock as an example when discussing the development of new import-substituting technologies, but we are seeing the same thing in urban transport. A number of companies compete to manufacture trams, modern low-floor trolleybuses, electric buses and buses. Many companies are developing this production, there is competition, and customers really do have a choice. There are also neighbouring countries willing to supply these vehicles. These are powerful incentives for technological development in mechanical engineering and related industries," added Alexander Shokhin.

A meeting of the interdepartmental working group on public transport development was also held that day. It discussed the implementation of major government objectives for developing and modernising passenger transport. Speakers noted that this requires close coordination between the Government of the Russian Federation, the relevant State Council Commission, federal and regional authorities, major manufacturers and investors. The interdepartmental working group's meeting is intended to facilitate an exchange of views and the development of agreed solutions.

The "Public Transport 2026" forum runs on 14–15 October, bringing together leading representatives of government and business, alongside industry experts, to discuss strategies for developing passenger transport in the regions. The forum is organised by the Ministry of Transport of the Russian Federation and the Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs.