Ireland’s Minister of State for the Department for Transport Jerry Buttimer is expecting next year’s ITS World Congress in Birmingham to be a “European showcase” for transport innovation, with collaboration helping deliver his central ambition of connecting people and reducing isolation.
Speaking to the Highways Voices podcast at the ITS World Congress in Gangneung, Korea, Mr Buttimer urged the international transport community to attend Birmingham and see how technology can improve journeys in both cities and rural communities.
“I think it’s important that you recognise Birmingham will be a European showcase for the rest of the world to come and see that we in Europe can do it very well as well,” he said.
Mr Buttimer, who also serves as Minister of State at Ireland’s Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, said the value of international gatherings lies in learning from others and bringing expertise into policymaking.
“It’s critically important that we connect people in a safe manner, but that we learn from each other and we have collaboration,” he explained, highlighting opportunities to share data, improve road safety and make transport more accessible.
For rural communities, his interests include demand-responsive transport, how vehicles are used and the potential implications of autonomous services. In cities, he pointed to investment in public transport and the challenge of making the car less of an automatic first choice.
Across both settings, he said the priority must be ensuring that technology serves people.
“For me, it’s about ensuring that we reduce isolation, and that’s what transport’s about,” he said. “Transport’s about moving people, moving services or goods, but it’s about connecting each of us, and that’s why I like being here and that’s why I’m here.”
Mr Buttimer said Ireland is seeing a shift in travel habits, with more people using publicly provided rural transport to reach work, meet friends and attend social appointments. He also highlighted investment in urban and commuter transport, including plans for light rail in his home city of Cork.
“The shift is happening and it’s important that we all get on board and that we keep that person at the centre,” he said.
He argued that events such as the Congress in the Republic of Korea and next year’s gathering in Birmingham can help policymakers understand how to turn that ambition into practical improvements.
“I, as a former teacher, understand that I don’t know everything, but I want to learn,” he said.
“If we want to change a regime around public transport in terms of accessibility and mobility, then what are the experts saying? I’m not the expert in the field. I’m the policymaker that can, with the expert, bring change, bring new directions.”
Turning to Birmingham, Mr Buttimer praised the preparations and emphasised Ireland’s involvement in supporting the event.
“I’m very proud to wear my Birmingham badge,” he said. “And I think one of the unique points about the Congress is that it’s going to be a collaborative approach.”
“It’s going to be a great Congress. I know the work that’s been done by the committee and from Birmingham is huge, and I want to pay tribute to all the people involved and thank them for what they’ve been doing.”
He also encouraged international visitors to include Ireland in their journey: “Come to Dublin first, then hop over to Birmingham.”
Mr Buttimer has spent the week meeting delegates from around the world, including in-depth conversations with the Department for Transport’s Head of Road Infrastructure Technology, Darren Capes, who is the UK Government’s lead for the 2027 Congress.
The ITS World Congress takes place at Birmingham’s NEC from 25–29 October 2027.
The interview will be featured in Friday’s podcast from Gangneung.
(Picture shows Mr Buttimer, second left and Darren Capes, third left, with ITS Ireland’s Mark Elmore left and David Laoide-Kemp)
