The Spanish government is set to introduce a new national public transport pass in January 2026, offering unlimited travel on state-run trains and buses for €60 per month. A reduced rate of €30 will be available for individuals under 26. This initiative aims to reduce commuting costs and promote sustainable mobility across the country.
Canada, Ontario, and the Region of Waterloo are jointly investing over $291 million to significantly upgrade public transit infrastructure. The funding will support nine projects, including the construction of the Kitchener Central Transit Hub, the purchase of 56 hybrid buses to replace older diesel models, and an additional 70 hybrid buses to expand the fleet, aiming to improve accessibility, reduce emissions, and enhance service for commuters.
Flydubai has inaugurated a new direct air route between Riga International Airport (RIX) and Dubai International Airport (DXB), operating three times a week. Launched on December 13, 2025, this service aims to significantly boost tourism, trade, and cultural exchange between Latvia and the United Arab Emirates, enhancing connectivity to the Baltic region.
Cape Town has been identified as the world's sixth most congested city in the INRIX 2025 Global Traffic Scorecard. Drivers in the South African metropolis lost an average of 96 hours to traffic in 2025, marking a significant increase and placing it ahead of many major global hubs. The city is the only African entry in the top 10.
Bus services in Athens, Greece, are significantly affected on Wednesday, December 17, 2025, due to a six-hour work stoppage by drivers. The disruption, from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., is to allow the OASA Workers' Union to hold its general assembly and elections, impacting urban routes while suburban lines in Eastern and Western Attica operate normally.
Latvia's national transport authority, Autotransporta direkcija (ATD), has signed an €89.4 million contract with Škoda Group for nine battery-electric multiple-units (BEMUs). This investment aims to modernize the rail system, reduce emissions, and enhance eco-tourism, with the first trains expected by 2029.
Latvia's national transport authority, Autotransporta direkcija (ATD), has signed an €89.4 million contract with Škoda Group for nine battery-electric multiple-units. These new trains, set for delivery by 2029, will modernize the rail system, replace aging diesel fleets, and enhance eco-tourism by providing quieter, more environmentally friendly, and efficient travel options across the country.
Latvia's national transport authority, Autotransporta direkcija (ATD), has awarded Škoda Group an €89.4 million contract for nine battery-electric multiple-units (BEMUs). This initiative aims to modernize the country's rail system, replace aging diesel fleets, and enhance eco-tourism. The agreement includes an option for seven additional trains, potentially increasing the total investment to €160 million, with the first units expected to enter service by mid-2029.
flydubai has launched its first direct three-times-weekly service between Dubai International Airport and Riga Airport, commencing on December 12, 2025. This new route, operated by a Boeing 737, marks flydubai as the first UAE carrier to offer nonstop flights to Riga, significantly enhancing tourism, business, and cultural ties between the UAE and Latvia.
Saudi Arabia and Qatar have signed a historic agreement to build a 785-kilometer high-speed electric rail link connecting Riyadh and Doha. The project, set for completion in six years, will cut travel time to two hours, serve over 10 million passengers annually, and create more than 30,000 jobs, boosting regional connectivity and economic growth.
Canada's federal government has confirmed that the initial segment of its ambitious Alto High-Speed Rail project will link Montreal and Ottawa, with construction anticipated to start in 2029. This 200-kilometer corridor is part of a broader 1,000 km network intended to connect Toronto and Quebec City, promising speeds up to 300 km/h and substantial economic and environmental advantages.
Mexico's federal government has streamlined administrative processes, resolving 110 of 176 previously stalled mining projects, unlocking over $11 billion in investment. This move is expected to significantly increase cargo demand in the mining sector, with key projects advancing in Zacatecas, Sonora, and Chihuahua, despite earlier regulatory hurdles from the 2023 mining law reforms.
Latvia's Autotransporta direkcija (ATD) has signed a contract with Škoda Group for nine battery electric multiple units (BEMUs), with an option for seven more. Valued at €89.4 million for the base order, these trains will replace aging diesel units, enhance passenger comfort, and reduce emissions on non-electrified lines by 2029.
ÖBB and Austrian Post are expanding their 24/7 parcel locker network, installing approximately 50 new units at train stations across Austria. Many of these will be off-grid, powered by solar panels, enhancing convenience for commuters and promoting sustainable infrastructure.
New South Wales is implementing significant toll reforms, including a permanent $60 weekly toll cap for private vehicles, effective since January 1, 2024. To fund this, two-way tolling will be reintroduced on the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Tunnel from late 2028, coinciding with the Western Harbour Tunnel's opening. Additionally, toll road administration fees will be abolished by mid-2026, aiming to provide substantial cost-of-living relief for motorists.
Spain's Secretary of State for Transport and Sustainable Mobility, José Antonio Santano, reiterated the government's strong commitment to developing the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T) through the Mediterranean and Atlantic corridors. This initiative aims to enhance cross-border connections, with significant investments planned for rail, port, and road infrastructure to boost connectivity and sustainable mobility across the Iberian Peninsula and with the wider EU.
Qantas Airways has launched a new direct flight service connecting Johannesburg, South Africa, and Perth, Western Australia. Operating three times weekly with an Airbus A330, the route aims to significantly boost tourism, trade, and cultural ties between the two nations, offering a quicker travel option and enhanced connectivity.
Greece has commenced the dismantling of overhead trolleybus power cables in Piraeus, marking a significant shift to modern electric buses after over 70 years of service. This initiative aims to modernize public transport, reduce operating costs by more than 50%, and enhance urban aesthetics, with 70% of the network to be removed over 18 months.
Toronto's new Finch West Light Rail Transit (LRT), also known as Line 6, officially commenced service on December 7, 2025. The 11-kilometre line features 18 stops, connecting Finch West Station to Humber College, and is set to significantly improve transit options in the city's northwest, with an estimated 51,000 daily riders. The project, operated by the TTC, faced delays but marks a major expansion in Toronto's public transportation network.
Greece, Bulgaria, and Romania have signed a Memorandum of Understanding in Brussels to bolster cross-border cooperation in transport infrastructure. The agreement, signed on December 3, 2025, aims to enhance regional integration, connectivity, and security through the modernization of rail, road, and inland waterway links, including new Danube bridges and a Black Sea–Aegean Sea Corridor Platform.
