As Asian cities continue to grow, rapid urbanization, worsening traffic congestion, and increasing car dependency are driving higher transport emissions, declining air quality, and escalating public health and climate challenges. Amidst these pressures, innovative, on-the-ground solutions are emerging across Asia, demonstrating how clean, inclusive, and equitable mobility can simultaneously improve access, reduce emissions, and protect public health.

Aligned with the BAQ 2026 theme, “Driving Action and Solutions” this pre-event will bring together cities, civil society, and community-led initiatives from Southeast Asia and Indian cities  to showcase practical interventions, evidence-based policies, and citizen-driven campaigns.

In recognition of Women’s Month, the session will also highlight gender-inclusive and socially equitable transport solutions that ensure access for women, persons with disabilities, children, and the elderly. The pre-event session seeks to:

• Share and exchange experiences and lessons of cities on addressing access and inclusivity in e-bus adoption programs including making clean public transport fleets more affordable for the most vulnerable groups in Asia, including Quezon City’s free e-bus service (Philippines), Karnataka’s Shakti Scheme (India), and TransJakarta’s transition towards e-bus and e-angkot electrification and subsidy strategies (Indonesia).

• Share skills and exchanges on mobilizing and educating a wider public and diverse audience to champion, act and support clean air initiatives in Indonesia, Chiang Mai, Thailand, India and the Philippines.

PROPOSED PROGRAM

Morning Session | 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Panel Discussion: Inclusive Fare and Electrification Schemes: Making Clean Public Transport Work for Women, PWDs,  Older Persons and the most vulnerable Group.

In celebration of Women’s Month, this panel will explore how cities across Asia are designing electric public transport systems that are clean, sustainable, and socially inclusive.

The session will focus not only on notable examples of cities and public transport operators, who have not only made the transition just for transport workers but also address the inclusivity issues of public transport users to sustain the demand for clean public transport.

Participants will gain insights into the real-world experiences of city governments and transport operators in creating affordable, accessible, and safe mobility solutions for women, persons with different abilities (PWDs), older persons and other vulnerable groups. Likewise, discussants will share on how making clean public transport more accessible leads to better air quality outcomes for cities.

Moderator: Ma. Sheilah Gaabucayan-Napalang, Dr. Eng., En. P. [Tentative]

Opening Remarks: Aslihan Tumer, Director of Clean Mobility Collective (5 mins)
Speakers:

• CMC India Network (Karnataka, India) – Presentation on lessons from the Shakti Scheme, a free bus program for women, highlighting implementation challenges, social reception, and the financing mechanisms that sustain the program. (15 mins)

• TransJakarta / ITDP Indonesia (Jakarta) - Presentation on transitioning e-buses and e-angkots (feeder transport), including strategies for fare subsidies and electrification, as well as service design improvements such as through its TransCare program to enhance accessibility for women, PWDs, the elderly, and other vulnerable groups. (15 mins)

• Quezon City LGU (Philippines) - Presentation on the city’s QC Libreng Sakay (Free Bus) service, including the design of its bus routes to improve access to key public service areas, key lessons and the operational challenges encountered. (15 mins)

Reaction: Clean Air Asia and Breathe Cities (10 mins)

Panel discussion/Open Forum (30 mins)

Afternoon Session | 2:30 PM – 3:30 PM

Story-telling: Innovative Community-Led Campaigns for Clean Air in Cities in Asia

This panel will showcase creative, community-driven initiatives from the Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand, and India, highlighting practical experiences, successes, and challenges in designing campaigns that engage citizens, shift public narratives, and drive local-level action for cleaner air.

Moderator: [TBD]

Opening Remarks: Siddharth Sreenivas, Coordinator of Clean Mobility Collective India

Story-tellers:

• Jaatka (India) - Success story of the Giant Lung campaign, emphasizing citizen-driven advocacy and collaboration with medical professionals to advance stricter air quality standards; also piloted in the Philippines at the Lung Center. (10 mins)

• 350 Pilipinas (Philippines) - Life in the Bubble Campaign (Philippines and Indonesia), demonstrating innovative citizen engagement strategies. (10 mins)

• Breathe Cities (Indonesia) - SIM City low-emission zone simulation (“Plan Your LEZ”), showcasing digital tools for planning low-emission urban interventions. (10 mins)

• Bicara Udara (Indonesia) - Student-led initiatives developing DIY air filters, highlighting youth engagement and hands-on solutions for improving local air quality. (10 mins)

• Chiangmai Breathe Council and Foundation for Older Persons' Development (FOPDEV) (Thailand) - Clean Air Heroes, sharing community-led haze response initiatives targeting the elderly and vulnerable populations, demonstrating inclusive local action. (10 mins)

Panel discussion/Open Forum (30 minutes)

Registration Form: Driving Action for Clear Skies – BAQ 2026 Pre-Event available here.