Emerging technologies such as connected and autonomous vehicles, electric vehicles, and information and communication technologies are surrounding us at an ever-increasing pace. Together with the concept of shared mobility, these technologies have great potential for transforming our existing public transport (PT) systems, making them far more user-oriented, system-optimal, smart, and sustainable with increased service connectivity, synchronization, and coordination and with improved user satisfaction.

To cope with this revolution, PT agencies and governments need to harness these innovative emerging technologies in order to transform existing PT systems into more advanced and attractive ones. To facilitate this transformation, one of the most challenging tasks is the development of new and/or adjusted effective and efficient methods and tools for the planning and operation of these next-generation PT systems.

This Special Issue aims to compile recent studies on this challenging task. Original research and review articles related to the planning, design, operation, control, management, maintenance, and rehabilitation of next-generation PT systems will be considered. All aspects of mathematical modelling, economic analysis, computer simulation, statistical analyses, and empirical studies are of interest. We also welcome submissions with a focus on the implementation and field tests of new methods and technologies for next-generation PT systems.

Potential topics include but are not limited to the following:

• Autonomous and connected PT systems planning and operations
• Electric PT systems design and operations
• Demand-responsive/on-demand PT systems planning, design, and operations
• Modular-vehicle PT systems planning and operations control
• Data-driven approaches for next-generation PT systems planning and operations
• New and innovative PT systems planning, design, and field tests
• Integration, coordination, and synchronization of multimodal PT systems
• Modelling and optimization of PT passenger flow in the era of intelligent transport systems
• PT infrastructure and facilities development adapted to emerging technologies
• Economic analysis, impact, and policy implications of next-generation PT systems