Spanish Transport Minister Seeks Urban Mobility Insights in New York

Spanish Minister of Transport and Sustainable Mobility, Óscar Puente, held discussions with New York City transportation leaders to gather insights for Spain's upcoming Sustainable Mobility Law. During his visit, Puente met with Mike Flynn, Commissioner of the New York City Department of Transportation (NYC DOT), and Janno Lieber, President and CEO of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA).

With Flynn, Puente explored traffic management strategies, road safety initiatives, and the use of technology to enhance urban mobility. They exchanged experiences on developing bus lanes, expanding pedestrian spaces, promoting active mobility, and employing data-driven management tools, all with an eye toward potential application in Spanish cities. New York's experience is considered a global benchmark, offering valuable lessons for Spanish municipalities tasked with creating Sustainable Mobility Plans under the new legislation, which took effect in December 2025.

Later, Puente met with Lieber to understand the operations of the MTA, the authority overseeing New York's metropolitan transport system with an annual budget of $21.3 billion. Their conversation delved into public transport financing and sustainability. Puente connected these discussions to Spain's planned State Fund for Contribution to Sustainable Mobility (FECMO), designed to provide greater financial stability to urban and metropolitan transport authorities. These meetings underscored institutional cooperation between Spain and New York, identifying potential collaboration opportunities.

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the experience of New York, considered an international reference in mobility, can serve as an example for Spanish municipalities.