International Expertise for Urban Mobility Transformation

An article by Paolo Marchetti, ATM, published in the white paper “The Mobility Revolution”.

The ATM Group

The Atm Group operates in Milan, Copenhagen, Thessaloniki and Paris, holding a position of international leadership in the integrated management of public mobility systems. The Group is active in all areas of mobility and its know-how covers the entire value chain of transport and mobility services: engineering (design, definition, optimization of transport networks), operations of all modes of transport and main tenance. Thanks to the work of 11,000 employees, the Atm Group manages 7 modes of transport: in addition to decades of experience in driverless metros, traditional metro systems, buses, trolleybuses, trams, bike sharing and cable systems. The Milan transport network is made up of five metro lines for a total extension of approximately 112 km, 15 tram lines and two Light Rail on 157 km of network, 160 bus lines and 4 trolley buses that cover over 1,600 km.

Expanding Sustainable Urban Mobility Internationally

In the context of ecological transition and growing urbanization, urban mobility is undergoing a profound transformation. Cities, increasingly focused on offering a better quality of life and efficient public services while addressing sustainability and emission reduction challenges, require operators capable of delivering integrated, intelligent, and low-impact solutions. In this scenario, two elements emerge as decisive levers to meet future challenges: enhancing technical know-how and expanding internationally. Atm Group has seized these opportunities, placing sustainability and innovation at the core of its strategy. Originally founded to manage Milan’s public transport, Atm has gradually expanded its reach, bringing its expertise, operating models, and advanced technologies to cities around the world. Its internationalization journey began in 2008 in Copenhagen, where Atm continues to manage the entire metro network, soon to be joined by the Danish capital’s new Light Rail by the end of 2025. The solid experience gained in managing automated metro systems, first in Copenhagen and then in Milan with the new M4 and M5 lines, has established the Group as a sector benchmark, leading to the 2023 award of the management and maintenance contract for Thessaloniki’s new metro — Greece’s first driverless line. In a highly competitive environment with strict and selective tendering criteria, Atm’s offering has also effectively meet the needs of Paris’s transport authority, winning the tender for the management of 18 bus lines in the Croix du Sud area in southwest Paris, awarded in April. Atm’s foreign expansion fits into a broader framework of investment aimed at elevating service quality, as part of a continuous improvement process in Milan and other cities, while exploring new development opportunities across Europe and the Middle East.

Internationalization: A Driver of Resilience, Growth, and Innovation

In an ever-evolving sector, international development is a strategic choice for Atm. It not only diversifies revenue streams and increases financial resilience but also:

• Leverages expertise developed locally;
• Acquires new knowledge, technologies, and regulatory models to enhance performance at home;
• Strengthens competitive positioning at the European and global level;
• Proactively intercepts new market trends and user needs.

Exporting sustainable mobility models generates added value for the home territory, fostering a virtuous circle of skills and innovation. In this framework, international experience becomes a tool for continuous learning and strengthening the overall service offering, as demonstrated by Atm’s journey, now recognized as a key player in sustainable mobility on an international scale.

Diversifying the Offering to Address Urban Complexity

Urban mobility is no longer limited to traditional transport. There is growing interest in complementary solutions such as cable cars, car-sharing services, and mobility services for tourism or environmentally sensitive areas. Diversifying the service offering allows cities’ mobility systems to become more flexible, widespread, resilient, and better integrated with urban development. In this context, Atm’s ability to adapt to diverse urban ecosystems is critical for winning new markets and supporting cities in their sustainable evolution. Atm also has consolidated expertise in managing cable transport systems, recently confirmed by winning the management of seven cableway installations in Lombardy for the next seven years.

Clear Regulatory Framework and High Service Quality

A key element for effective mobility services is the presence of mature regulatory authorities capable of setting clear rules, measurable goals, and transparent service levels. Solid governance supports the implementation of high-quality, replicable, and long-term-oriented services, promoting real synergies between public and private sectors. Moreover, building strong relationships with local authorities creates additional value for the entire community, extending beyond the specific scope of mobility.

Integrated Expertise for Smarter Cities

The growing complexity of mobility systems requires advanced expertise in transport engineering, digitalization, and urban planning. Leading operators are no longer limited to service management; they provide technological solutions and strategic consulting, helping cities adopt smart models for mobility, traffic regulation, and urban development. This evolution fosters a multiplier effect on expertise, driven by cross-market knowledge transfer and the use of scalable, adaptable solutions. Service integration, the use of renewable energy, and advanced digital technologies have become Atm’s standard practices thanks to its deep experience in Milan. This is complemented by increasing capabilities in engineering and project development, including the construction of electrified depots, installation of fast-charging systems, and urban planning aligned with transport network evolution.

Regenerating Cities Through Sustainable Mobility

The challenge for the sector is no longer simply to guarantee efficient services but to actively contribute to urban regeneration and decarbonization. The most successful experiences show that operators combining technical know-how, international vision, and a strong commitment to sustainability are best placed not only to meet cities’ needs but also to drive their transformation. The future of mobility lies in alliances among operators, cities, institutions, and technologies. Only through these partnerships can we build a modern, accessible, and regenerative transport ecosystem. For the Atm Group, this approach translates into a concrete vision of sustainability: a form of mobility built day by day, city by city, with an increasingly global outlook.