Education program during Busworld

Below you can find a first version of the Busworld Latin America Conference program including some confirmed speakers. The program will be adjusted over the course of time, and speakers will be added.

Are you interested in a speaking slot? Get in touch with us!

 

 

CHAPTER 1: The Future of Urban Bus Services

Session 1: Market Analysis of the Latin American Bus Market

A presentation of the present sales figures of urban buses in Argentina and Latin America, and a view on the trends for the coming years. Via a high-level debate amongst the CEO's of the most important vehicle manufacturers on the Latin American Bus market, you will get a view on what will be the powertrains of the future, what sizes of buses will be offered, what comfort levels are requested by the operators and what safety features in the buses we will see on the road from this moment onwards?

• Keynote: Mrs. Ingrid Shumann, Industry Analist - Mobility, Frost & Sullivan

• Panel Debate: CEO's and high-level representatives of the most important vehicle manufacturers in Latin America

 

Session 2: Public Private Collaboration for Improving Urban Bus Services

Good public transport involves strong collaboration between public and private stakeholders to best service the mobility needs of the population. Several modals for such collaboration between public and private sector are applied, but not all of them satisfy all stakeholders. How can a local or regional government ensure good public transport to its citizens? How do public transport authorities ensure good services from private operators? And how can the economic needs of the private bus operators be fulfilled?

• Mrs. Manuela Lopez Menendez, Secretariat de Transporte y Obras Publicas, Ciudad Atonoma de Buenos Aires (CABA)

• Mr. Marcelo Torres, Director National, SUBE

 

Session 3: Implementation of Low & Zero Emission Urban Bus Services

Most bus manufacturers have CNG or electric buses in their product lines. However the rate of implementation in the operators' fleet is very different, depending from region/city. Let's listen to several public and private bus operators: how did they implement CNG or electric buses? What are the first experiences? Why do other operators not make the energy transition yet? Are electric buses really double in investment cost? Are the costs for maintenance realy so much lower compared to diesel buses? When will the total cost of ownership be favourable for CNG, or electric buses? Is the electricity grid in Argentina and other parts of Latin America ready for electromobility?

• Mr. Adáo de Castro Junior, Secretary of Urban Mobility, City of Porto Alegre, Brasil

• STM Mendoza, speaker TBC

• Mr. Mauritio Appud, Regional General Manager for Public Transport, GRUPO METROPOL

 

CHAPTER 2: The Future of Intercity Bus Operations and Coach Tourism

Session 1: Market Overview of the Latin American and Argentinian Intercity Bus Market

How is the demand and supply ratio for intercity bus lines evolving in Latin America in general, and in Argentina in particular. What new vehicles are available? Is CNG getting a significant market share? Are new players coming to this market?

• Mrs. Ingrid Shumann, Industry Analist - Mobility, Frost & Sullivan

 

Session 2: Models for Collaboration Between Intercity Bus Operators and Booking Platforms

Although the traditional offline business model remains dominant, new digital operators, booking platforms and technology suppliers have entered the market. They started to change the traditional business model by adding new sales channels for intercity bus tickets. Fact is that these players are gaining market share. The passenger's behaviour has also significantly changed in the passed 3 years: he/she is now more easily finding info, booking the ticket and paying for it, via his mobile phone. All this urges traditional operators to collaborate with these digital players, in order to enlarge or maintain their market share. Questions are raising: what is a fare commission for these new sales channels? Will they actually increase the turnover of the bus operator? What can platforms like Redbus, Plataforma10, etc. do with data they obtain? In this session, several models for collaboration between intercity bus operators and digital platforms will be analysed and compared. With this information, bus operators will be well prepared to choose the partnerships that best fits their business.

• Mr. Fernando Aguilera, Country Manager Brasil, Reservamos SaaS

• Mr. Gerardo Reategui, CEO, redBus Latin America

• Mr. José Juan Ciccia, CIT (Peru)

 

Session 3: Increase of Ridership and Auxilary Revenu Models for Intercity Bus Operations

Intercity bus business becomes more and more data driven. Having a good view on the demand and the willingness to pay of the passengers is crucial to apply dynamic pricing strategies. En surplus, auxiliary revenue models, such as onboard catering, availability of wifi and infotainment, the combined sales of bus ticket + hotel, or bus ticket + entrance to an event or concert or the conversion of buses to accomodate passengers as well as transporting goods, can augment up to 30% the profits of intercity bus operators.

• Mr. Fabiano Ferrari, Country Manager, CheckMyBus.com

• Mr. Edson Bezerra Lopes, CEO, Flixbus Brazil

 

Session 4: Improving Safety in Long Haul Bus Operations

Besides the skills of the driver, technology and good regulations can contribute in a very significant way in the prevention of accidents and casualties related to long haul bus operations. How is CNRT trying to increase safety in long haul bus operations, via the implementation of regulations? What technology is available on the market to reduce the risk of (severe) accidents, and what technology should be obliged in buses and coaches? How do drivers use, or do not use, the available safety features in the vehicles? Since the COVID pandemic, hygienic safety is becoming more and more important. Almost all bus companies have taken measures to reduce the risk of cross contamination in buses and coaches. Effective and efficient HVAC systems and air purification systems contribute in a significant way to the passenger's and driver's safety. Some of these measures will disappear, others are here to stay. How do bus operators adapt?

• Mr. José Arteaga, Executive Director, Comisión Nacional de Regulación del Transporte (CNRT)

 

Session 5: The Future of Coach Tourism and International Collaboration

How will the coach of the future look like? What features and services are best appreciated by the clients and by the tour guides? How to keep operational costs under control? The success of coach services in tourism is strongly related to international collaboration, partnerships with national and international travel agencies and with modern, safe and high level services, comparable to those of the better airlines. The Global Passenger Network and the Camará International de Transporte are two global players, the first more focussed on collaboration between coach operators from all over the globe, the second on global transport services. Come and learn how you can benefit from their services. Integrate with other transport modes, such as aviation and the cruise business.

• Mr. Paulo Caleffi, Secretary General CIT and member of parlement in Brazil

• Mr. Mauro Gaspar, Argentinian Representative, Global Passenger Network and President of SGM Solution

 

CHAPTER 3: Human Capital: The Driver Is the Ambassador of the Bus and Coach Industry

Session 1: Modern Training Strategies for Bus and Coach Drivers

Very often, the driver is the only representative of the company who meets the clients/passengers. His impact on the perception of the company by the clients cannot be overestimated. In surplus, his or her driving style will influence the fuel consumption for over 10%, which means that his/her impact on the financial results of the company is huge. The importance of good driver training is clear. What are the best ways to prospect, select, train and follow up on bus and coach drivers? How can simulators help in the education of bus drivers? What are the best ways to teach the social skills that are needed to deal with people/passengers every day? Is different training for coach and for bus drivers needed? Several companies and training institutes and authorities give their vision and present their strategies, as well as an overview of the organization of driver training in different countries.

 

Session 2: Women Drivers

Bringing more women to the profession is part of the solution for the driver shortage which is experienced all over the world. What are the conditions for the bus industry to attract more female drivers? How do women experience being a bus or coach driver?