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Advancing public transportation: Beyond mass transit to door-to-door solutions

How can the integration of various modes of transportation such as trains, buses and robot taxis contribute to achieving a holistic and efficient urban mobility system that caters to the diverse needs of commuters?

Mobility
Vehicles
Article

Jul 07, 2025

Public transportation on road and rail

Travelling sustainably in cities
public transport
public transport
public transport

The integration of a diverse range of transportation modes, including trains, buses, and autonomous vehicles, is the key to tomorrow’s clean, safe and smart mobility landscape. The focus is no longer just on mass transportation, but on creating transportation options tailored to the individual requirements of commuters while optimizing the efficiency of urban mobility. Each journey should ideally be customized to each traveler's individual needs.

Linking public transportation with shared mobility services paves the way for increased convenience and effectiveness. To achieve this, planners must create a connected transportation system that seamlessly interconnects all modes of travel and mobility.

public transport
public transport
public transport

How would this work in reality?

Imagine a commuter who starts their journey by hopping on a shared electric scooter from their doorstep to get to a nearby bus stop. From there, they seamlessly transition to a high-speed train that takes them across the city, followed by a short ride on an autonomous shuttle that drops them off directly at their workplace. This interconnected network of transportation modes gives us a glimpse into a future where getting around the city is not only efficient but also fun.

Shared mobility options like ride-sharing services and bike-sharing programs have already begun to transform urban traffic. These services complement traditional mass transit systems by filling gaps in accessibility and providing flexible connectivity right up to the last mile.

 

The role of technology in modernizing public transportation

Technology is already playing a pivotal role in transforming public transportation systems and this is set to become even more pronounced. Semiconductors, for instance, are essential for enabling clean and efficient mobility solutions. Infineon, a leader in semiconductor technology, is at the forefront of this transformation, providing components that power electric vehicles, optimize energy consumption, and enhance safety. These innovations are crucial for achieving the dual goals of reducing emissions and improving the overall efficiency of public transportation systems.

Electric buses

Sustainable momentum

Electric buses are a cornerstone of sustainable urban mobility. Unlike conventional diesel-powered buses, electric buses produce zero emissions, significantly reducing carbon dioxide and nitrogen oxide emissions in urban areas. However, the transition to electric buses requires robust and reliable technologies. Our semiconductor solutions are designed to meet these challenges, enabling efficient energy conversion, reducing weight, and improving overall vehicle performance. These advancements not only contribute to a greener future but also enhance the comfort and reliability of public transportation.

woman waiting at busstop
woman waiting at busstop
woman waiting at busstop

Semiconductors unleash potential of clean and robust buses

Buses cover significant distances every day and clock up far greater total mileage over their service lives than other vehicles. This can typically be more than 1.5 million kilometers compared to only 300,000 kilometers or so for a car. This all has an impact on the power electronics on board the bus: The electronic parts have to be more robust and dependable. Semiconductor solutions empower electric propulsion and help reconvert energy efficiently during braking. Also, they let manufacturers build buses with less weight, better acceleration, and energy-efficient air conditioning, lighting and door openers.

We provide efficient components specifically for fuel-cell electric buses that reduce energy losses and enable designers to meet the relevant regulations, standards and safety requirements.

Railroads on the path to decarbonization

Increased energy-efficiency and less noise on the rails

In many urban areas, underground and suburban trains and trams are important in reducing road traffic. At the same time, they offer a favorable carbon balance and – when operated electrically – release zero emissions. The figures speak for themselves. For example, a traveler on a one-way train trip from Munich to Paris saves 150 kg of CO2 compared to flying, and arrives in the French capital in just over six hours on the fastest connection.

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Semiconductors unleash potential of clean traction

We cover all segments in traction transportation, ranging from trams and subways through regional and high-speed trains to locomotives for freight transport. Building on our deep understanding of the challenges of today and the future, we offer a comprehensive product portfolio of best-in-class solutions as the basis for traction systems with the highest power densities and excellent efficiency. Our components stand out because of their long service lives. They are engineered to provide the reliability that traction applications need so they can keep running year after year in harsh environmental conditions.

Take the CoolSiC™ 3.3 kV XHP™ module with XT technology, for instance. This essential building block for traction converters in trains enables our customers to build converters with huge advantages, including:

 

  • High efficiency
  • Motor-friendly designs
  • Long service life
  • Cost competitiveness

 

The result? Trains that are:

  • Less noisy
  • More robust and reliable
  • More comfortable for passengers

Use case: SiC technology boosts efficiency of trams in Munich

Joint field test proves the benefits of SiC technology in public transportation

We are a key player in the development of silicon carbide (SiC) technology and its qualification for use in rolling stock. For example, our XHP™ 2 power modules based on SiC technology have proven their worth in a joint field test in Munich, creating benefits for manufacturers, rail operators, and residents: A Siemens Avenio tram used by the local German transport company MVG for passenger services was equipped with XHP™ 2 power modules and tested in the field for a year, covering around 65,000 km. Siemens Mobility concluded that the use of power semiconductors based on SiC enabled a ten percent reduction in the energy consumed by trams.

At the same time, it was also possible to significantly reduce noise during operation. The tests were carried out under the European development and research project PINTA and are part of the European research initiative Shift2Rail, the objective of which is to create a sustainable European rail system.

Read more about our SIC products

Sustainable rail transportation with high-power SiC modules

phone app lock house
phone app lock house
phone app lock house
XHP™ 2 CoolSiC™ MOSFET 3.3 kV with .XT interconnection technology

The key features of the XHP™ 2 CoolSiCTM MOSFET — lower losses, higher switching frequency, and higher power density — can be directly translated to multiple system benefits. These include energy efficiency, system size and weight savings, and tangible noise reductions.

To find out more about sustainable rail transportation watch the interview with Dr. Diana Car, principal engineer for high power modules, Infineon Technologies AG: