With entries for the CiTTi Awards 2025 now open, City Transport & Traffic Innovation Magazine (CiTTi Magazine) has launched an exclusive series of Q&A interviews with the expert panel of judges responsible for assessing this year’s submissions.
In the weeks ahead, the magazine will shine a spotlight on each of the judges – a diverse group of leading professionals drawn from across the sustainable urban mobility and transport technology sectors – to explore their backgrounds, industry perspectives and what they’ll be looking for in an award-winning entry.
From public sector figures to academic and technical specialists, this year’s judging panel represents a broad spectrum of knowledge, insight and experience – all of which will help identify the most innovative, impactful and forward-thinking projects, products and people shaping the future of city transport and traffic innovation.
One of the judges taking part in the 2025 edition is Lydia Horbury, director of England at Bus Users UK.
Horbury was appointed Bus Users UK director for England in 2023 and brings a background in marketing, public relations, and senior leadership in education to her position.
In her capacity, Horbury leads campaigns, oversees complaints services, and collaborates with transport providers, NGOs, and government bodies to enhance access to public transport.
She has been instrumental in initiatives such as the 2024 Catch the Bus Month and has advocated for reforms like reciprocal concessionary travel schemes across the UK.
Speaking to CiTTi Magazine, Horbury is delving into projects that place the experience of user at the heart of their work, championing those that look to create a lasting impact.
Name: Lydia Horbury
Job title: Director of England
Organisation: Bus Users UK
How does your professional expertise align with the CiTTi Awards’ mission to recognise and celebrate innovation in urban mobility?
As director for England at Bus Users UK, my professional expertise lies in advocating for accessible, inclusive, and sustainable public transport. I work closely with local authorities, operators, and community groups to improve bus services and ensure they meet the needs of all passengers. This aligns closely with the CiTTi Awards’ mission, as innovation in urban mobility must centre on real-world usability, equity, and environmental impact. By championing solutions that remove barriers to travel and empower communities, I help drive forward the kind of transformative change the CiTTi Awards seek to recognise.
What emerging trends or technologies in urban mobility and transport are you most excited about, and how do you expect them to be reflected in this year’s submissions?
Micromobility integration is gaining real traction — not just for last‑mile hops, but as part of co-located “mobility hubs” linked to core bus or rail services. Expect submissions showcasing e‑bike or e‑scooter integration alongside bus stops and secure parking. Autonomous and connected buses are making headway – notably the CAVForth Level‑4 pilot in Scotland. I’m looking forward to innovators blending automation with public transport efficiency.
As a judge, what insights do you hope to gain from reviewing the submissions, and how might this experience shape your perspective or influence your work in the sector?
As director for England at Bus Users UK, I’m constantly engaging with the challenges and opportunities around making transport genuinely accessible and inclusive. Reviewing the submissions will offer a valuable window into the creative, practical, and often community-led solutions that organisations are putting into action across the country.
I’m particularly keen to learn how different sectors are approaching accessibility—not just from a compliance point of view, but in ways that centre lived experience and foster genuine independence and confidence for all users. These insights will help shape our advocacy and partnership work, ensuring we continue to push for ambitious, people-focused change in how transport is designed and delivered. It’s also a brilliant opportunity to spotlight best practice and encourage others in the industry to raise their game.
In your opinion, how do the CiTTi Awards contribute to driving meaningful progress and innovation in urban mobility, and why is industry recognition so important?
The CiTTi Awards play a vital role in showcasing what’s possible when innovation is driven by purpose—particularly when that purpose is to make urban mobility more sustainable, inclusive, and responsive to real-world needs.
Recognition from peers across the industry not only validates the hard work of teams and organisations but also creates a ripple effect: it inspires others to think more creatively, invest in accessibility, and prioritise inclusion as a measure of success. Celebrating progress publicly helps shift the conversation from “what’s required” to “what’s possible”, which is essential if we’re going to create transport networks that work for everyone.
Can you share an example of an innovation or initiative that has significantly impacted urban mobility?
One of the most impactful innovations in recent years has been the growing use of co-designed accessibility training—developed with disabled passengers, not just for them. When operators and local authorities involve people with lived experience directly in shaping training and service design, it leads to a real cultural shift in how services are delivered.
It moves accessibility beyond infrastructure and into everyday human interaction—ensuring drivers, planners, and front-line staff understand how to offer support that empowers, rather than assumes. That kind of change can make the difference between someone feeling excluded and someone travelling with confidence. It’s a simple shift, but one that transforms mobility from a service into a right.
What advice would you give to companies and organisations looking to submit an award-winning entry?
Focus on the impact on people. The most compelling entries in the Transport Accessibility and Inclusivity category won’t just tick boxes—they’ll show how real barriers have been removed and how people’s everyday lives have improved as a result.
Tell the story of your work through the experiences of those it’s designed to support. Share feedback, lived experiences, and measurable outcomes—especially if they demonstrate collaboration with disabled passengers or underserved communities. We’re looking for entries that go beyond compliance to create meaningful, lasting change. Authenticity, inclusion in the process, and a clear link between need, action, and impact will always stand out.
Achievements and innovations in urban mobility will be recognised and celebrated at the fourth annual CiTTi Awards on 25 November 2025 at De Vere Grand Connaught Rooms in London. Visit www.cittiawards.co.uk to learn more about this unmissable event for the UK’s transportation sector!
