Rail stations and transit hubs are more than ways to move people from A to B, they are catalysts for community regeneration and economic growth. That message framed the closing Keynote on day two, moderated by Bob Bennett of the Cities Today Institute and featuring Andy Byford of Amtrak and Greer Johnson Gillis of the Jacksonville Transportation Authority.
In “Completing the mass transportation jigsaw,” Andy reflected on his role in delivering London’s Elizabeth Line, a project credited with creating tens of thousands of jobs and adding an estimated 50 billion to the UK economy. He pointed to major US opportunities as well, from the revitalisation of Michigan Central Station to his ambition to transform New York’s Penn Station into “the world’s best train station”.
Greer brought the conversation to the everyday building blocks of mobility such as buses, ferries, paratransit and neighbourhood services that remain essential yet often inaccessible. Innovation, she said, is central to bridging these gaps. JTA has already launched the nation’s first autonomous public transport service in revenue operation, connecting residents to jobs, healthcare and entertainment using vehicles built in Detroit.
Both panellists stressed the importance of trust, transparency and long-term thinking. Communities must be involved from the start, they argued, especially when deploying new technologies, and continuity across political cycles is vital to sustaining progress. While major projects capture attention, maintaining systems, securing funding and ensuring future scalability are just as critical.
Their shared advice: think boldly, partner widely, and plan for the generations ahead.
Watch the full Keynote panel discussion below.
Moderator: Bob Bennett, Chair, Cities Today Institute Andy Byford, SVP & Special Advisor to the Board, Amtrak Greer Johnson Gillis, Senior Vice President and Chief Infrastructure & Development Officer, Jacksonville Transportation Authority Keep up-to-date with the latest mobility news by subscribing to MOVEMNT’s free newsletter
