International Conference Series on Competition and Ownership in Land Passenger Transport
International Conference Series on Competition and Ownership in Land Passenger Transport
Sunday 13 September – Thursday 17 September 2026
The 19th conference of the International Conference Series on Competition and Ownership in Land Passenger Transport (The Thredbo Series) will be held on the Islands of Malta from 13 to 17 September 2026.
The conference will be held at the Old University Building situated in Valletta. The Valletta Campus, popularly known also as the 'Old University Building' was constructed to serve as a Jesuit College, the first stone laid in 1595 by Grand Master Martino Garzes. Huddled between St. Paul, St Christopher, Merchants and Archbishop streets, the plan of the structure is typical of Renaissance large public buildings, with a central courtyard. Today the campus houses the Conferences and Events Unit (CEU), the Research and Innovation Development Trust (RIDT), and the Centre for the Study and Practice of Conflict Resolution. Part of the building also houses the offices of the International Institute for Justice and the Rule of Law (IIJ).
The conference will be hosted by the Institute for Climate Change and Sustainable Development at the University of Malta in conjunction with the Institute of Transport and Logistics Studies at the University of Sydney Business School.
Key dates:
The Thredbo conference series has garnered a formidable reputation for being the premier international forum dedicated to the analysis and debate of competition and ownership issues in land passenger transport. This influential forum attracts high quality participation and delivers a large portfolio of impressive material synthesising developments not only from developed economies but increasingly from developing economies.
The conference series is directed towards a broad audience of industry players (government and public transport operators), policy makers, planners, decision makers on infrastructure and service operators, consultants, researchers, academics and students. The mix at Thredbo 18 was: Industry/consultants (20%), government (20%), and academics (60%).
As with past conferences, Thredbo 19 will feature plenary sessions and a series of intensive workshops based around keynote papers and a series of resource papers providing a range of international perspectives on each issue. Please refer to the following draft program:
| Sunday 13 September 2026 | ||
|---|---|---|
| 4.00pm | Delegate Registration | |
| 6.00pm | Welcome Reception | |
| Monday 14 September 2026 | ||
|---|---|---|
| 8.00am | Delegate Registration | |
| 9.00am | Opening of Conference | |
| 9.15am | Keynote Address (TBC) | |
| 10.00am | Morning Break | |
| 10.30am | Roundtable and Plenary Session | |
| 12.15pm | Workshop Rules | |
| 12.30pm | Lunch | |
| 1.30pm | Workshop Sessions | |
| 3.30pm | Afternoon Break | |
| 4.00pm | Workshop Sessions | |
| 6.00pm | End | |
| Tuesday 15 September 2026 | ||
|---|---|---|
| 9.00am | Workshop Sessions | |
| 10.30am | Morning Break | |
| 11.00am | Workshop Sessions | |
| 12.30pm | Lunch | |
| 1.30pm | Workshop Sessions | |
| 3.00pm | Afternoon Break | |
| 3.30pm | Workshop Sessions | |
| 5.00pm | End | |
| Wednesday 16 September 2026 | ||
|---|---|---|
| 9.00am | Workshop Sessions | |
| 10.30am | Morning Break | |
| 11.00am | Workshop Sessions | |
| 12.30pm | Lunch | |
| 1.30pm | Technical tour | |
| 4.30pm | Return to accommodation | |
| 6.00pm | Conference Dinner | |
| 9.00pm | End | |
| Thursday 17 September 2026 | ||
|---|---|---|
| 9.00am | Keynote Speaker Presentation (TBC) or Roundtable #2 | |
| 10.00am | Morning Break | |
| 10.30am | Workshop Reports 1-4 | |
| 12.30pm | Lunch | |
| 1.30pm | Workshop Reports 5-7 | |
| 3.30pm | Afternoon break | |
| 4.00pm | Michael Beesley Award and Presentation | |
| 5.00pm | Closing Remarks | |
| 5.15pm | End | |
Malta is a small island nation located in the Mediterranean Sea, south of Italy. It consists of three main islands: Malta, Gozo, and Comino and despite its small size, Malta is rich in history, culture, and natural beauty. The country has a population of around 520,000 people and covers an area of just 316 square kilometres. Malta has a fascinating history that dates back thousands of years, with influences from the Phoenicians, Romans, and the Knights of St. John. It became a British colony in 1814 and gained independence in 1964. Today, Malta is a member of the European Union and the Commonwealth of Nations. The official languages are Maltese and English, making it easy for visitors to communicate. The capital city, Valletta, is one of five fortified cities in the islands, known for its historic buildings and stunning views. It is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Other must-visit places in the islands include the fortified city of Mdina, the Three Cities in the Grand Harbour, the Cittadella in Gozo, the picturesque Blue Lagoon in the island of Comino, and the ancient Megalithic Temples and archaeological sites scattered all around the islands of Malta and Gozo. Travel on the islands is easy with the local bus system having a central hub just outside the walls of Valletta, and access to the other islands is available through efficient sea ferries and boats.
