2026 International Mobility Data Summit

Conference Event

2026 International Mobility Data Summit

A 2-day event dedicated to creating better transportation through data.

Where

265 Rue Saint-Jacques, Montréal, Quebec H2Y 1M6

When

September 22 & 23, 2026

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Join the Global Conversation on the Future of Transportation

The 2026 International Mobility Data Summit unites global leaders, innovators, and experts for two days of panels, workshops, and hands-on sessions, all focused on one goal: advancing transportation through data.Explore topics across transit, shared mobility, and – new this year – mobility policy, as we dive deep into how data is shaping the way people move around the world.

At the 2024 Summit, more than 190 people from 18 countries came together to collaborate on global data standards and mobility innovation, making it a truly international event. This is your opportunity to connect with the world’s foremost mobility thinkers, exchange ideas, and help define the data-driven future of transportation.

Secure your early-bird ticket today and join the global mobility community shaping what’s next.

Program Overview

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September 22, 2026

Day 1

from 8:00 am
to 9:00 am

Registration

  • 1 h
  • Théâtre St-James, Montréal, Québec​

Enjoy coffee, tea and light bites.

from 9:00 am
to 9:40 am

Welcome & Keynote from Rikesh Shah

  • 40 min
  • Main Hall

The 2026 Summit will kick off with opening remarks from MobilityData and a Keynote address from Rikesh Shah, Managing Director of Innovate Today. 

As the former head of TfL’s award-winning innovation team, Rikesh turned open data from a mandate into a measurable engine of value for an entire city. Today, he’s Managing Director of Innovate Today, Commissioner of the UK’s Innovation Procurement Empowerment Centre, and an advisor to governments and cities worldwide on transport strategy, innovation, and open data.

from 9:45 am
to 11:15 am

Transit Data Strategies for Orchestrating Access to Major Events

  • 1 h 30
  • Main Hall

Description:

Whether it’s a headlining concert, Olympics or the World Cup, this session dives into how GTFS adapts existing systems to scale for influxes of people during major city events drawing international crowds. We will hear from cities and experts who have experience with planning and executing transport during major events. Panelists will share real-world strategies for managing crowd surges, operational peaks, and short-term disruptions.

Moderator:

Heili Toome, Global Engagement Director, MobilityData

Panelists:

Daniel Bernstein, Senior Manager, Office of Strategic Innovation, LA Metro

Tania Mahan, Global Mobility & Mega-Event Transport Strategy, FIFA World Cup 2026 and IOC Olympic Games

Additional panelists to be announced soon.

Building GTFS from the Ground Up with Practical Insights from Real-World Implementation

  • 1 h 30
  • The Gallery

Description:

Join transit data leaders as they share real-world experiences building GTFS from the ground up. This session will explore the process of generating high-quality GTFS feeds, with a focus on technological independence and ease of adoption.

Presenters will discuss how they built reliable, structured transport data in diverse regional contexts, what practical methodologies they used to collaborate with local governments, operators, and civic communities, and the challenges they encountered along the way. They’ll also highlight the tools and resources that supported their work and the new resources available today to streamline implementation.

Moderator:

D. Taylor Reich, Board Director, MobilityData

Panelists:

Óscar Hernández, Civic Data & Technology Lead, Codeando Mexico

Hanry Abreu, Product Lead, Bus2

Abdelrahman Melegy, Head of Data Lab, Transport for Cairo

Robin Phillips, Executive Director, National Rural Transit Assistance Program

Ted Sweeney, Innovative Mobility Lead, King County Metro

from 11:15 am
to 11:30 am

Break

  • 15 min

from 11:30 am
to 12:45 pm

Demonstrating the Value of Open Transit Data Policies

  • 1 h 15 min
  • Main Hall

Description:

In this session, a panel of experts will explore why requiring open transit data matters. They will confront skepticism, address common concerns about making data publicly accessible, and explore pragmatic approaches for agencies with limited budgets.

The panel will highlight real use cases of how open data can be used to drive innovation, research, collaboration, efficiency, fairness, and the service brought to the public, as well as what considerations need to be taken to ensure the success of open data in policy.

Moderator:

Logan Nash, Board Director, MobilityData

Panelists:

Emmanuel Bama, Co-founder & Lead Project Manager, Data Transport

Rikesh Shah, Managing Director, Innovate Today

Raghu Krishnapuram, Distinguished Scientist, Centre of Data for Public Good

Nick Parfene, Chief Product & Technology Officer, Snapper Services

From Door to Door: Leveraging Demand-Responsive Transit as a Solution to Enhance Transit Ecosystems

  • 1 h 15 min
  • The Gallery

Description:

This panel will explore the realities of planning and operating demand-responsive transportation (DRT) across both rural and urban contexts. Experts will discuss how riders interact with on-demand services, where adoption and growth are emerging, and how flexible routes can be made visible and discoverable within trip planners alongside fixed-route transit.

Drawing on real-world implementations, panelists will share insights from transit systems of all sizes and the role of transit data, including GTFS-Flex and GOFS.  The conversation will highlight technical approaches, collaborative models, and emerging tools that bridge innovation and accessibility.

Moderator:

Carl Fredlund, Strategic Director, MobilityData

Panelists:

Janet Geissler, Mobility Innovations Specialist, Michigan Department of Transportation

Sylvain Tousignant,
Director, Strategic Affairs, Agence de Mobilité Durable

Mohit Mishra, Managing Director, Atomicle, Namma Yatri

Alexandre Gregoire, Web Team Lead, Transit

from 12:45 pm
to 2:15 pm

Networking Lunch

  • 1 h 30
  • Main Hall

A catered lunch to connect, chat, and recharge.

from 2:15 pm
to 3:30 pm

Unlocking GTFS: Powering Broader Discovery and Insights from Transit Data

  • 1 h 15 min
  • Main Hall

Description:

GTFS began as a simple standard. Today, in advanced markets around the world, it supports far more than trip planning.

This session explores how the standard can be used to attract a wider audience; building on existing GTFS implementations to generate deeper operational insight and stronger planning outcomes. Rather than introducing new standards, the focus is on how modern data collection methods and emerging technologies are enhancing GTFS in practice.

The discussion will also examine how GTFS feeds are integrated into analytics and performance workflows to inform service planning and urban decision making.

Moderator:

Andrew Salzberg, Board Director, MobilityData

Panelists:

Claire Baxter, Senior Data Operations Manager, Rome2Rio

Anika Adeusa-Smart, Director, Public Transit Solutions, Esri

Stephen Kuban, President & CEO, Kuban Transit Solutions

Marshall Davey, Strategic Information Advisor, Autorité régionale de transport métropolitain (ARTM)

Guillermo Campoamor, Head of North America, Axon Vibe

Expanding the Transit Picture: How Emerging Standards Build on the GTFS Ecosystem

  • 1 h 15 min
  • The Gallery

Description:

GTFS is the backbone of open transit data, but complementary open standards like TIDES and TODS are helping expand to meet the needs of operating transit systems. This session highlights implementing open standards that integrate seamlessly with GTFS provide richer operational insights without introducing new standalone systems. It explores the early successes in expanding GTFS’ open approach across the transit technology stack.

Moderator:

Carl Fredlund, Strategic Director, MobilityData

Panelists:

Joshua Fabien, Deputy Director of Transit Technology, Data, Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA)

Gustavo Balieiro, Director, Bus2

Andy Kuziemko, Deputy Chief of Data and Analytics Officer, Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA)

Additional panelists to be announced soon.

from 3:30 pm
to 3:45 pm

Break

  • 15 min

from 3:45 pm
to 5:00 pm

Finding Your Way: Improving Transit Journeys with In-Station Data and Navigation

  • 1 h 15 min
  • Main Hall

Description:

In this session, we will explore the current state and future possibilities of GTFS station modeling, including Pathways and other station features such as entrances and facilities. This session will dive into how in-station navigation can enhance the rider experience, not just for accessibility, but for all travelers. 

Presenters will discuss how station-level data is created, integrated into journey planning, and consumed by trip planning applications, drawing on examples from large-scale events like the World Cup and the Olympics. Attendees of this session will gain practical insights to improve in-station navigation and create seamless transit journeys for all riders.

Moderator:

Drew Carruthers, Director of Product, MobilityData

Panelists:

Andrew Gepp, COO, Ito World

Ethan McIntosh, Data Analyst, Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA)

Sara Khatib, Transit Data Analyst, Transit

Masahiro Bessho, Professor Toyo University, Public Transportation Open Data Center (ODPT)

Evaluating the Return on Investment of Open Shared Mobility Data

  • 1 h 15 min
  • The Gallery

Description:

Shared mobility services play an important role in connecting first- and last-mile trips, improving safety, and expanding public transportation options in cities. Yet operators and governments often face challenges demonstrating the return on investment of open shared mobility data and the resources required to produce and maintain it.

This panel will explore the real costs, benefits, and opportunities associated with publishing open shared mobility data. Operators, policymakers, and mobility experts will discuss strategies for measuring impact, from improving health and reducing congestion to increasing equitable access to transportation. Panelists will also examine the challenges operators face, including implementation costs, competitive concerns, and the difficulty governments encounter when trying to demonstrate the public value of these systems.

Moderator:

Élisabeth Poirier-Defoy, Executive Director, MobilityData

Panelists:

Tom Erik Støwer, Senior Consultant, Entur AS

Alvaro Villagran, Director, Federal Programs, Shared-Use Mobility Center (SUMC)

Vincent Dussault, Planning Advisor, Urban Innovation Lab, Ville de Montreal

Additional panelists to be announced soon.

from 5:00 pm
to 5:30 pm

End of Day Remarks

  • 30 min
  • Main Hall

Celebrating 20 years of GTFS.

from 6:00 pm
to 8:00 pm

Networking Happy Hour

  • 2 h
  • Montreal Museum of Archaeology and History

This location is approximately a five minute walk from the Summit venue.

Sessions are subject to change

September 23, 2026

Day 2

from 8:00 am
to 9:00 am

Welcome & Networking

  • 1 h
  • Théâtre St-James, Montréal, Québec

Enjoy coffee, tea, and light bites.

from 9:00 am
to 9:40 am

Plenary Session

  • 40 min
  • Main Hall

A representative from Google will kick off Day 2 of the Summit with an opening plenary about the opportunities for the transit data ecosystem in the AI era. 

from 9:40 am
to 9:50 am

Break

  • 10 min

from 9:50 am
to 11:10 am

Community Pitch

  • 1 h 20
  • Main Hall

Present innovative projects – from new solutions to research and community initiatives – and engage with industry leaders and peers. The Community Pitch is your opportunity to share your vision and demonstrate its impact. Registration details will be shared with Summit attendees in advance.

from 11:10 am
to 11:15 am

Transition Time

  • 5 min

from 11:15 am
to 12:30 pm

Advancing Transit Data
Through National Standards

  • 1 h 15
  • Main Hall

Description:

This session explores how governments and agencies can use policy and collaboration with local agencies to implement consistent data standards, improving interoperability , analytics, and planning. Panelists at different stages of policy development will share lessons learned and illustrative examples from their own experiences.

The discussion will cover how authorities embed data standards into policy, the benefits for cities and regions, and strategies to facilitate adoption. Participants will learn how standardized transit data can enable interoperability, innovation, and make collaboration more effective.

Moderator:

Élisabeth Poirier-Defoy, Executive Director, MobilityData

Panelists:

Lisa Zorn. Assistant Director, Planning – Forecasting, Modeling and Surveys, Metropolitan Transportation Commission (SanFran)

Antoine Augusti, Tech Lead, transport.data.gouv.fr (French NAP)

Joe Gallagher, Transportation Data Analyst, Federal Transit Administration (U.S Department of Transportation)

A representative from the Japanese Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT)

Additional panelists to be announced soon.

Shared Mobility Operators and Trip Planners - A Rapidly Developing Win-Win Partnership

  • 1 h 15
  • The Gallery

Description:

Shared mobility operators invest significant resources deploying vehicles and maintaining accurate data, yet many struggle to be visible in the trip planning apps riders rely on every day. At the same time, app developers face challenges identifying high quality data, reducing integration time, and understanding the technical and business considerations of adding new services.

This panel brings together key stakeholders to explore how shared mobility can be better integrated into a city’s mobility ecosystem and what that integration is worth. Speakers will touch on the return on investment for operators, what information most influences user choice, and how improved data quality, partnerships, and multimodal apps can make shared mobility more discoverable and easier to integrate.

Moderator:

Drew Carruthers, Director of Product, MobilityData

Panelists:

Keiji Yamada, Director, Data Science Section, OpenStreet

Guerric de Rémacle, General Manager, Leo Carshare

Guillaume Campagna, Chief Technology Officer, Transit app

A representative from Google

A representative from Lyft Urban Solutions

from 12:30 pm
to 2:00 pm

Networking Lunch

  • 1 h 30
  • Main Hall

A catered lunch to connect, chat, and recharge.

from 2:00 pm
to 3:30 pm

Operating Major Transit Systems Around the World - From the Lens of Data

  • 1 h 30
  • Main Hall

Description:

Join an international panel of transit leaders as they share how some of the world’s largest and most complex transit systems successfully manage their data in 2026.

Panelists will highlight innovative and data-driven initiatives for long-term planning, operational efficiency, budget constraints, data governance, and deliver a world-class passenger experience. The discussion will also explore collaboration between public agencies and private partners, demonstrating how sustained, coordinated efforts enable high-quality and reliable transit data across diverse urban contexts.

Moderator:

Heili Toome, Global Engagement Director, MobilityData

Panelists:

Jan Schelhaas, Data Engineer, Metroselskabet I/S (Copenhagen)

Carlo Dürselen, Head of Sales & Digital, HVV – Hamburg

Karen Cruz, Technology and Information Systems Manager, Metrobus

Will Anderson, Manager, External Electronic Communications, Chicago Transit Authority (CTA)

A representative from Google

from 3:30 pm
to 3:45 pm

Break

  • 15 min

from 3:45 pm
to 5:00 pm

Lessons from GTFS
Data Quality Leaders

  • 1 h 15
  • Main Hall

Description:

Imagine planning your commute only to find the transportation method you relied on never shows up or the information in your trip planner is completely outdated. Delays, missed connections, and frustrated riders are the real-world consequences of poor transit data and can be a major barrier to people choosing shared and public transportation options.

In this panel, agencies and data consumers share how improving data quality can prevent these scenarios, enhance rider trust, and even increase ridership. Speakers will highlight tools and strategies that produce reliable, high-quality feeds and showcase measurable results. Data quality is not just an operational task but a critical investment in the mobility experience.

Moderator:

Carl Fredlund, Strategic Director, MobilityData

Panelists:

Omeed Tavasoli, Product Manager, Swiftly Inc.

Tu-Tho Thai, Manager, International Development, enRoute

Albert Villarroya, Mobility Specialist, Barcelona Transit Authority

Elliott McFadden, Emerging Mobility Unit Supervisor, Minnesota Department of Transportation

How Data Policy
Improves Mobility

  • 1 h 15
  • The Gallery

Description:

As cities and regions increasingly rely on  mobility data to deliver services and allocate funding, policymakers must develop frameworks that enable innovation, support cross-sector data sharing, and importantly, protect the privacy of their citizens.

In this panel, policy and data governance experts from various parts of the world will explore practical approaches to making mobility data open, responsible, interoperable, and impactful. Panelists will share lessons from jurisdictions that have implemented governance models, highlight strategies for balancing commercial and public interests, and examine policy levers that promote equity, privacy, and sustainability.

Moderator:

D. Taylor Reich, Board Director, MobilityData

Panelists:

Johan Høgåsen-Hallesby. Co-Founder, Beta Mobility

Sarah Abel, Vice President, Innovative Mobility, ITS America

Laura Babio, Cluster Lead on Smart Mobility, POLIS Network

Emmy Egulu, Public Policy Analyst, CSA Group

William Chernicoff, Senior Manager, Global Research & Innovation, Toyota Mobility Foundation

from 5:00 pm
to 5:15 pm

Closing Remarks

  • 15 min
  • Main Hall

Sessions are subject to change

Attending The Summit

Tickets

Every Summit Ticket Includes:

  • Full access to the entire two-day Sumit program
  • Snacks, lunch, coffee, & tea on both days
  • Access to our exclusive Networking Happy Hour with drinks and canapés provided

Get the Right Ticket & Save!

Ticket prices vary by sector, so be sure to select the right one for you. As always, MobilityData Members get the best rates. Want in on the savings? Become a Member today!

Bringing a team of 5 or more? Contact us for exclusive group discounts!

Buy Your Ticket

Accommodations

We’ve secured preferential rates at nearby hotels for Summit attendees. Availability is limited, so we encourage early booking using the links below.

A Look Back at the 2024 Summit

Experience the 2024 International Mobility Data Summit through our official video and photo highlights.

The Highlights Video

A condensed perspective on The 2024 International Mobility Data Summit.

The Official Photos

Click through the photos of the event to re-live the 2024 International Mobility Data Summit.