Meet the BUS2BUS Advisory Board: Anna Filby

As Founder of the Young Mobility Network (YMN), Anna Filby is committed to strengthening the voice of the younger generation in the mobility industry. As a member of the BUS2BUS Advisory Board, she brings fresh perspectives and highlights how young professionals can help shape the future of transport. She is also committed to creating targeted networks at BUS2BUS 2026 and bringing young professionals together with companies to promote exchange and joint career opportunities.

1. In your opinion, what developments are currently having the greatest impact on the bus and mobility industry?

The mobility industry is currently undergoing a fundamental transformation. New mobility, data-driven services and digital platforms are changing not only technologies, but also ways of working and thinking. This opens up enormous opportunities for young professionals: they bring fresh perspectives, digital skills and the courage to experiment. Particularly exciting is the increasing interconnection between traditional transport companies, startups and tech players – an ecosystem in which innovative ideas can quickly become scalable solutions for smart, sustainable and seamlessly connected mobility.

2. What role does sustainability play in your working environment and what opportunities do you see for the industry?

Sustainability is central to all projects and initiatives we pursue at YMN. It offers the opportunity to rethink mobility – lower-emission bus fleets, better public transport connections and the promotion of multimodal services open up completely new perspectives. For the industry, this means not only responsibility, but also innovation potential, new business models and attractive jobs for young talent.

3. What are your expectations for BUS2BUS 2026 – which topics should the industry focus on discussing there?

I expect BUS2BUS 2026 to be a central meeting place for innovation, exchange and networking. The topics of sustainability, digitalisation and promoting young talent are particularly important to me. At the same time, we need to focus more on demographic change – in the midst of this transformation, we need the fresh ideas of young professionals and the experience of established players. The decisive factor will be how we intelligently combine these different perspectives and skills in order to actively shape the future of bus transport together.

4. Is there a bus experience that has particularly stuck in your memory?

One experience that particularly sticks in my mind from my time abroad in Vancouver is that everyone calls out ‘Thank you, driver’ when they get off the bus. This small gesture of gratitude shows how valuable personal contact is – something we easily neglect in our increasingly digital world. Since then, I have made a point of thanking the bus driver every time I get off, and I would like to see this appreciation become more common in Germany again.

5. If you didn't work in the mobility industry, what other field could you see yourself working in?

I could imagine working in the field of sustainable development in developing or emerging countries. There, too, the focus is on connecting people, infrastructure and forward-looking design. I have travelled a lot and have always enjoyed helping out at schools and supporting local projects – I would continue to do so in this context.

6. How can the younger generation help shape the mobility industry – and what support would you like to see from established players?

The younger generation can actively help shape the industry with fresh ideas, digital skills and new perspectives. We bring creativity, curiosity and a focus on future needs. From established players, I would like to see openness, mentoring and a willingness to involve young talent in projects at an early stage so that innovation and sustainability can be driven forward together.