Public transport funding and financing: A best practice guide for transport agencies, operators and cities

Investment in public transport infrastructure is one of the most impactful measures public and private institutions can take to reduce congestion and transport emissions, enhance urban resilience, and make cities more inclusive and economically productive. However, cities and transport agencies worldwide are facing a number of fiscal challenges: the COVID-19 pandemic caused a sharp drop in ridership and revenue, forcing transport agencies to reduce services, while other cities have faced long-standing challenges in attracting financing to build new public transport infrastructure.

This report therefore aims to present examples of best practices and a non-exhaustive list of recommendations which cities and transport authorities can use to improve the state of public transport funding and financing, while also continuing to make progress towards their transport emissions reduction targets.

Targeted primarily towards city officials, transport financiers, authorities, operators, and practitioners, the report highlights the challenges cities and transport authorities are facing before laying out recommendations for strengthening public transport funding and finance strategies, drawing on best practice examples from cities around the world. The report also highlights additional research resources which offer readers the opportunity to deep-dive on specific topics.

Find the full guide on the C40 Knowledge Hub’s website here.