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Daily Transportation News Thursday, October 15, 2026 | ||||
| Editorial and legal note: This briefing is provided for general information and professional awareness. It summarizes publicly available materials from government agencies, legislatures, transportation providers, companies, research organizations, and news organizations. Inclusion does not constitute IATR endorsement, legal advice, a finding of fact, or a recommendation that any regulator adopt a particular policy. Readers should consult the original source and applicable law before relying on any item for regulatory, procurement, enforcement, or operational decisions. Image credits identify sources and do not constitute permission to reproduce images. | ||||
Top Highlight | ||||
Event AlertIATR President Matthew W. Daus to Moderate and Speak at the 2026 ITS World CongressOctober 19–23, 2026 | Gangneung, South Korea | “Beyond Mobility, Connected World”
Matthew W. Daus, President of the International Association of Transportation Regulators (IATR), is scheduled for two sessions at the 2026 Gangneung ITS World Congress: Wednesday, October 21 | 11:00 AM–12:30 PM ADAS/AV Safety by Communications, with Matt serving as moderator. Learn more about the 2026 ITS World Congress → | ||||
IATR Awards | 2026 Annual ConferenceIATR Names California Public Utilities Commission 2026 Regulator of the YearRegulator of the Year Award | IATR’s 39th Annual Conference | Las Vegas
The International Association of Transportation Regulators (IATR) proudly named the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) its 2026 Regulator of the Year, recognizing the agency for “dedication, excellence and exemplary public service.” Terra Curtis, Director of the CPUC’s Consumer Protection & Enforcement Division, accepted the award on behalf of the Commission during IATR’s 39th Annual Conference in Las Vegas. The award recognizes the CPUC’s work to strengthen transportation safety, promote accessibility, equity and innovation, advance sustainable mobility, and protect the public interest as California’s transportation marketplace rapidly evolves. The CPUC now regulates nearly 10,000 passenger transportation carriers; approximately 65 percent more than before the COVID-19 pandemic. “The IATR proudly conferred its prestigious Regulator of the Year Award on the California Public Utilities Commission for dedication, excellence, and exemplary public service in ground transportation regulation and government administration. The CPUC has demonstrated exceptional leadership in sustainability, accessibility, and the advanced and progressive regulation of transportation network companies. The Commission has also become a regulatory trailblazer in managing innovation; from robotaxis and zero-emission transportation to major international events, while maintaining its focus on safety, equity, enforcement, and the public interest. It was especially fitting to have Sean Bouffiou, IATR’s 2025 Regulator of the Year, join us in presenting the award and officially help pass the torch to Terra Curtis and the CPUC team.” MATTHEW W. DAUS, IATR PRESIDENT Among the accomplishments recognized by IATR is the CPUC’s TNC Access for All Program, which has awarded more than $50 million since 2021 to expand wheelchair-accessible, on-demand transportation. The Commission’s Clean Miles Standard and new Rideshare Incentives for Driving Electric (RIDE) Program are also helping drivers and rideshare companies transition toward zero-emission transportation. “To keep pace with growth, we have worked to make regulation more efficient, expand education and training, and focus enforcement resources where they can have the greatest impact on public safety,” said Terra Curtis, the Director of the CPUC’s Consumer Protection & Enforcement Division. “At the same time, we are working to create opportunities for innovation and expand access to transportation services across California.” TERRA CURTIS, DIRECTOR, CPUC CONSUMER PROTECTION & ENFORCEMENT DIVISION The CPUC has also taken a leading role in regulating autonomous passenger service as robotaxis expand across California. Its work includes passenger-safety planning, operational data reporting, enforcement and an ongoing rulemaking intended to strengthen the transparency and accountability of autonomous transportation. The Commission has simultaneously coordinated with transportation providers, event organizers and law enforcement to prepare for Super Bowl LX and the FIFA World Cup. At the October 8 CPUC voting meeting, Commission leadership recognized the award and the transportation professionals whose policy, licensing, program administration and enforcement work made the honor possible. The recognition underscored that the award belongs not only to agency leadership, but also to the CPUC staff members working every day to regulate an increasingly complex transportation marketplace. The IATR conference also featured S. Pat Tsen, CPUC Deputy Executive Director for Safety and Consumer Protection, who presented California’s regulatory framework for autonomous passenger transportation. Tsen discussed the CPUC’s passenger-safety requirements, data collection and incident-reporting programs, enforcement criteria, accessibility and environmental objectives, and continuing AV rulemaking.
Terra Curtis credited CPUC staff and emphasized the importance of collaboration among transportation regulators. “Every day, transportation professionals across the CPUC work to solve problems, develop new approaches, enforce the rules when necessary, and collaborate with an industry that is constantly evolving,” she said. “Organizations such as the International Association of Transportation Regulators give transportation regulators an opportunity to learn from one another, share effective approaches, and raise the standard for transportation regulation around the world.” WHY IT MATTERS TO REGULATORS: The CPUC’s work spans AV oversight, accessibility funding, zero-emission programs and large-event planning, offering a reference point for regulators facing the same issues. | ||||
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New York City | Pedicabs & For-Hire OversightNew York Officials Propose Meters for Pedicabs and Possible TLC OversightStatus: Proposal; not adopted. New York officials are proposing meters for pedicabs following an investigation of pedicab pricing. A change backed by the Times Square Alliance would also place pedicabs under the Taxi and Limousine Commission (TLC), which could move enforcement to an agency that already oversees for-hire transportation. WHY IT MATTERS TO REGULATORS: The proposal raises questions about fare transparency, licensing and which agency enforces rules for for-hire vehicles. | ||||
Minnesota | Autonomous Vehicles & Local RegulationMinneapolis Council Does Not Override Veto of Robotaxi Safety-Monitor OrdinanceStatus: Veto sustained October 15; ordinance will not take effect. The ordinance would have required a city-issued license and a human safety monitor with a driver’s license, with immediate access to steering, braking and acceleration, in driverless vehicles. The council did not secure the votes to override Mayor Jacob Frey’s veto. WHY IT MATTERS TO REGULATORS: The outcome shows how a city-level AV licensing approach proceeds when state AV rules are absent. Source: | ||||
Washington, D.C. | Robotaxi LegislationD.C. Robotaxi Authorization Bill Would Phase In Service and Fund TransitStatus: Proposed legislation; no vote reported. The bill would phase in robotaxis after 120 days of testing and require companies to pay a per-mile fee for Metro and workforce programs. WHY IT MATTERS TO REGULATORS: The bill pairs deployment authorization with fees and workforce funding, a model other jurisdictions may study. | ||||
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Canada | EV Market & IncentivesCanada’s EV Market Is Recovering Across ProvincesStatus: Opinion published October 14.
EV sales are up more than 30 percent from 2025, with roughly 10 percent market share compared with 14 percent in 2024. Quebec was 60 percent of 2024 EV sales and now sits near 18 percent share, while B.C. is near 20 percent. The federal EVAP incentive steps down to $4,000 in 2027. WHY IT MATTERS TO REGULATORS: Incentive design and new-brand entry shape zero-emission fleet and vehicle-licensing assumptions. Source: | ||||
Canada | EV Demand & Chinese BrandsSurvey: Many Canadian EV Shoppers Interested in Chinese BrandsStatus: Survey findings; Chinese EVs permitted on a quota basis.
A September Clean Energy Canada/Abacus Data survey found 48 percent of respondents want an EV next, and 42 percent of would-be buyers would wait for Chinese brands. EVs were 10.8 percent of new-car buyers in the first half of 2026. WHY IT MATTERS TO REGULATORS: New brand entry affects vehicle standards and zero-emission fleet planning for taxi, rideshare and transit operators. Source: | ||||
Manitoba | Micromobility & Personal Electric VehiclesManitoba to Introduce Province-Wide E-Scooter Rules in 2027Status: Announced October 13; effective 2027. New rules under the Highway Traffic Act include a minimum rider age of 16, helmets for riders and passengers, a 25 km/h speed cap, and restriction to roads of 50 km/h or less, with sidewalk riding prohibited. WHY IT MATTERS TO REGULATORS: The rules offer a provincial template for age, speed and road-type limits on personal electric vehicles. Source: | ||||
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London | Autonomous Passenger ServicesLondon Assembly Transport Committee Recommends Cap on Autonomous VehiclesStatus: Committee recommendations; not enacted.
The committee recommends that the Government give Transport for London (TfL) power to cap the number of autonomous passenger vehicles operators can deploy when full Automated Vehicles Act regulations arrive, and to issue and withdraw permits. WHY IT MATTERS TO REGULATORS: The recommendations tie operating permission to fleet limits and local mobility outcomes. | ||||
Europe | Driver Assistance & Software UpdatesBYD Plans City Navigation Driving-Assist Update for Denza Z9 GT in Europe in 2027Status: Company announcement; software expected in 2027.
The over-the-air update starts with the Denza Z9 GT and uses existing hardware: one LiDAR, 12 ultrasonic radars, three millimeter-wave radars and 11 cameras. The Z9 GT starts at €115,000 in Europe. WHY IT MATTERS TO REGULATORS: Software-delivered driving-assist features raise questions about approval and driver responsibility. Source: | ||||
Northern Ireland | Taxi LicensingNorthern Ireland Reviews How Taxi Convictions Are Reported to Licensing AuthoritiesStatus: Under review; no timetable.
Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins says officials are working with police, courts and AccessNI to speed the flow of conviction information to licensing authorities. She will also ask officials to assess a CCTV-in-taxis proposal. WHY IT MATTERS TO REGULATORS: Timely record-sharing supports licence fitness decisions by licensing authorities. Source: | ||||
Manchester | Autonomous Ride-Hailing PilotsUber, Verne and Pony.ai Begin Robotaxi Testing in ManchesterStatus: Testing with safety drivers and no passengers. Uber announced on October 14 that it is testing robotaxis in Manchester with Verne and Pony.ai, following Zagreb and London. Transport for Greater Manchester noted that the national Government grants AV operating permission and that it has received no applications. WHY IT MATTERS TO REGULATORS: The pilot highlights the split between national AV permissions and local transport authorities. | ||||
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Indonesia | Ride-Hailing LawIndonesia Plans to Classify Online Ride-Hailing as Public TransportationStatus: Draft revision of Law No. 22/2009. The Transportation Ministry will include ride-hailing motorcycles in the draft revision of Law No. 22/2009. A separate presidential regulation covers accident and health insurance and a 92/8 revenue split between drivers and platforms. WHY IT MATTERS TO REGULATORS: The change would shift the legal basis for platform transport and driver classification. Source: | ||||
Thailand | Platform OversightThailand Introduces Scorecard System for Ride-Hailing AppsStatus: Licence rule in effect. Apps will receive a performance scorecard reviewed every three months, with points tied to assigning jobs only to drivers with public driving licences and properly registered vehicles. WHY IT MATTERS TO REGULATORS: The scorecard is a platform-level accountability model for ride-hailing compliance. | ||||
South Korea | Autonomous TaxisSouth Korea’s Autonomous Taxi Consultative Body Discusses Licensing and Data UseStatus: Ministry-led consultation ongoing. The Autonomous Driving Taxi Social Consultative Body, led by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, is discussing how to introduce autonomous taxis. Taxi industry representatives are asking for license-based introduction and a framework for taxi operation data use. WHY IT MATTERS TO REGULATORS: Licensing structure and data ownership are central design questions for AV taxi introduction. Source: | ||||
Featured Research / Policy Report | ||||
Global | Autonomous Vehicle GovernanceWorld Economic Forum: Autonomous Vehicles — From Regulatory Diversity to Shared LearningThe World Economic Forum white paper examines how policy-makers can compare and learn from different AV regulatory approaches as deployments move from pilots to commercial operations. It organizes AV governance into five building blocks: policy objectives, liability, vehicle approval, trials and commercial operations. Cross-cutting themes include roles and responsibilities, the safety case, data governance, feedback loops and public acceptance. WHY IT MATTERS TO REGULATORS: The paper gives regulators a common vocabulary for comparing AV regimes across jurisdictions. Source: | ||||
A Message From the IATR President At the International Association of Transportation Regulators (IATR), our regulators are at the forefront of addressing both the challenges and opportunities facing the mobility paradigm. Our IATR members, partner organizations, and regulated industries will continue on our shared quest to fulfill the mission of our non-profit educational organization—to bring about Multi-Modal Mobility Innovation for All! This mission can best be accomplished through information sharing, collaboration, identifying and promoting best practices, and educating our membership. These educational updates and electronic media clips are affectionately known as “IATR snips” and endeavor to cover all aspects of mobility around the globe—especially news and developments involving safety, technology innovation, multi-modal integration, automation, sustainability, electrification, accessibility, regulatory modernization, and equity. If you would like more information about the IATR, please visit www.iatr.global. Current members can renew their memberships by logging in through the IATR portal at the top right-hand side of the website. If you forgot your membership password, please email info@iatr.global. | ||||
International Association of Transportation RegulatorsAdvancing safe, equitable, innovative, and effective transportation regulation worldwide. | ||||
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