This article was contributed by Paul Comfort, Senior Vice President and Chief Customer Officer at Modaxo and Matt Price, Content Marketing Specialist at Trapeze Group.
How does Modaxo, the people transportation division of Volaris Group, stay at the forefront of public transport innovation? By engaging directly with industry leaders worldwide to exchange ideas and explore emerging trends.
A trip to Australia provided a valuable overview of the latest advancements in zero-emission buses, transformative rail projects, and leadership strategies shaping the future of transit.
Paul Comfort, Senior Vice President and Chief Customer Officer for Modaxo, traveled across five cities over ten days. The trip helped him gather insights while attending major industry conferences, meeting with transit agencies, and touring innovative transportation projects across the country.
Here are some key themes from the trip that highlight the challenges and opportunities facing the sector.
Zero-Emission Buses and Customer-Centric Innovations
The push for decarbonization is a dominant theme in Australia’s public transit sector, with many agencies piloting or expanding hydrogen fuel cell and electric bus fleets to meet ambitious sustainability goals.
Transportation agencies can play a role in lowering global emissions by adopting customer-centric innovations that make the transit experience more enjoyable and convenient, which can convince people to consider using transit regularly.
- Hydrogen fuel cell and electric buses: At Transit Systems’ depot in Melbourne, a hydrogen fuel cell bus pilot program is underway, demonstrating the potential for clean energy in bus fleets. Meanwhile, Kinetic is preparing to roll out 137 locally built zero-emission buses starting in 2025, reinforcing Australia’s commitment to greener transit options.
- Brisbane Metro and Bus Rapid Transit (BRT): Brisbane’s bi-articulated, battery-electric Metro vehicles are introducing a higher-capacity implementation of BRT, offering passengers a tram-like experience with the operational flexibility of a bus. The city’s new busways and depot infrastructure are designed to maximize efficiency and sustainability.
- Industry collaboration at the Bus Industry Confederation (BIC) Conference: Discussions at this conference underscored the sector’s focus on operational challenges, funding models, and passenger experience improvements. Zero-fare public transportation and electrification were key topics, mirroring transit discussions that Modaxo has seen on a global scale.
Transformative Rail Projects and Infrastructure Investments
Australia is investing heavily in rail infrastructure, with major projects designed to improve connectivity and sustainability. These initiatives align with global trends in urban rail expansion and technology-driven efficiency improvements.
- Yarra Trams and rail efficiency technologies: Melbourne’s Yarra Trams, the world’s largest light rail network, continues to explore new technologies to enhance efficiency and sustainability, offering lessons that can be applied globally.
- Cross River Rail – Brisbane’s game-changer: The $5.4 billion Cross River Rail project will deliver 5.9 km of twin tunnels beneath Brisbane’s central business district, unlocking capacity and improving connectivity across South East Queensland.
- AusRAIL Conference and National Rail Expansion: The AusRAIL Conference highlighted Australia’s significant rail expansion projects, with companies like John Holland Group and UGL driving the construction of new urban and regional rail lines.
Leadership and Collaboration in Public Transport
Beyond technological advancements, the trip emphasized the importance of collaborative leadership and emerging talent in shaping the future of transit.
Collaboration between agencies is essential in multimodal public transportation systems that integrate metro, train, bus, ferry, and light rail services.
- Developing the next generation of transit leaders: At Monash University, students participated in an innovative public transport planning simulation, reflecting a growing focus on education and workforce development.
- Sydney’s multimodal expansion: Sydney’s $20 billion Metro project is being compared to London’s Elizabeth Line and Singapore’s Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) system, demonstrating how long-term vision and investment can transform urban mobility.
- Brisbane’s Olympic-driven transit growth: With the 2032 Olympics approaching, Brisbane is investing in multimodal transport solutions, including CityCat Ferries, Kangaroo Point Bridge, and Brisbane Metro, to create a seamless transport experience for residents and visitors alike.
Building Global Connections to Strengthen Local Impact
Engaging with transit agencies, government leaders, and technology innovators worldwide allows Volaris Group to bring global insights back to our companies and partners. Through Modaxo, we stay connected to industry advancements in zero-emission technology, rail infrastructure, and leadership development – ensuring our solutions continue to evolve alongside the changing needs of public transportation.
About the contributor: Paul Comfort is a broadcaster, author, and transit industry veteran who hosts Modaxo’s Transit Unplugged TV show and podcast. See more Transit Unplugged episodes from Paul’s trip to Australia on the Transit Unplugged YouTube channel, including his tour of transit systems in Melbourne and Tasmania, extended interviews with transit executives in Melbourne, his visit to the Sunshine Coast and Brisbane, and extended interviews with transit executives in Brisbane.
