Expert Voices: Heather Thompson - Investing in the Future of Urban Mobility

In this Expert Voices session, Sasank Vemuri (MobiliseYourCity Secretariat) sits down with Heather Thompson (ITDP) for a practical conversation on why cities urgently need to rethink how public transport is funded and financed, and what that means for delivering inclusive, efficient, climate-aligned systems at scale. The discussion connects the “big picture” (long-term funding mechanisms and financial sustainability) with real implementation constraints, especially as cities face rising demand, climate pressures, and tighter budgets.

A key thread running through the conversation is how financing can unlock progress when cities need to move from plans to delivery, particularly for transitions that require significant upfront investment, such as cleaner fleets. Heather also underlines the value of making learning accessible through examples and resources that help cities understand what’s working and how it was achieved.

The conversation also ties into MobiliseYourCity’s new two-volume publication,Who Pays What for Urban Mobility?, which digs deeper into the practical questions behind transport funding; who pays, how policies are designed, and how cities can build more robust and sustainable funding frameworks over time (Volume I on funding policy design, and Volume II on increasing resources and optimising financial needs).

Key takeaways from the session

• Plans are necessary, but not sufficient: without credible funding and financing pathways, cities can struggle to move from strategy to implementation.

• Financing can be a “sweet spot” that helps systems reach scale and move faster toward delivery “tipping points,” especially when paired with the right policy environment.

• Upfront capital matters: without access to capital, progress can stall, even when there is political will or technical readiness.

• Regulation and market signals accelerate change: clearer policy direction and supply-side measures help create certainty for governments and industry, supporting faster transitions.

• Look to real-world examples and shared learning: practical case studies and peer learning can help cities translate concepts into actionable steps.

Our guest - Heather Thompson (ITDP)

Heather Thompson is the Chief Executive Officer of the Institute for Transportation and Development Policy (ITDP). With more than 20 years of leadership in sustainable transport and urban development, she works with governments, technical teams, and civil society to advance inclusive mobility systems. Her expertise focuses on strengthening public transport funding, improving financial sustainability, and embedding climate and equity objectives into investment and policy decisions across diverse regional contexts.

About Expert Voices

Expert Voices is MobiliseYourCity’s short, interview-style webinar format: a 30-minute one-on-one conversation designed to surface how leading practitioners think about complex mobility challenges and what practical insights they draw from their work. The aim is to share lessons, examples, and ideas that others can adapt, focusing on what’s useful for day-to-day decision-making rather than formal presentations.

 

The session recording is now available on our YouTube channel.