Networking and the Conversations in the In Between: My Experience at EASTS 2025

Last week, I attended an international conference for the first time since transitioning to the field of transportation engineering, representing SafeTravelPH Mobility Innovations Organization.

I never would have imagined being part of this conference, considering that I would be regarded as an “early career researcher.” As such, I have yet to carve my own career pathway and determine my own focus or direction of research for the years to come. 

The 16th Eastern Asia Society for Transportation Studies (EASTS) conference, held in Surakarta, Indonesia, spanned a total of four days. The first three days’ schedule consisted of a mixture of plenary sessions and technical sessions, while the fourth day was dedicated to a technical tour within the city.

Beyond the numerous plenary sessions and technical sessions held during the first three days, what I appreciated most was the multitude of conversations that took place in between. Networking can often feel somewhat awkward, but I was in a room full of transportation researchers and professionals, so I knew I had to take the initiative. 

Over coffee break, I met a master's graduate from Indonesia who was sharing her work on electric motorcycles in Jakarta. She shared how battery swapping helped overcome range anxiety and charging delays for users. It’s particularly relevant in Jakarta, where motorcycles dominate daily transport and air pollution is severe. The model demonstrates how it can reduce costs for riders by separating vehicle purchase from battery ownership. 

From that conversation, it sparked some ideas that we can possibly integrate into some of our projects. It made me think if what if there were swap stations placed at X, Y, Z in certain routes? How would that then affect energy use, cost, ridership or emissions? This will then help with planning and investment decisions of our partners should they be more interested in employing electric vehicles in their cities.

Another conversation that stuck out to me was a conversation with one of the directors of an NGO. I was sharing that currently the proposed budget for public transport in the Philippines is underfunded considering that there are more road-based public transport users.

She shared that Indonesia used to also have a “LRT/MRT fever,” but a Governor was decisive in pushing BRT projects forward despite opposition and initial congestion caused by lane reallocation. That political backing was critical since the BRT was expected reduce mixed-traffic road capacity by 20-25%.

...Indonesia used to also have a “LRT/MRT fever,” but a Governor was decisive in pushing BRT projects forward despite opposition and initial congestion caused by lane reallocation...

The Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) System in Jakarta, Indonesia. Courtesy of Carl Dave Silos.

But despite the early criticism, the public quickly supported the system once it was running for the BRT was able to cut travel time by 59 minutes at peak hour across the corridor.

The spacious median boarding with tactile pavement for the TransJakarta station. Courtesy of Carl Dave Silos.

All I could think of at that moment was how lucky their country was, for they had a champion who was pushing for better public transport in their country. That single conversation reinforced my interest in studying the intersection of transportation and governance.

At the end of the day, knowledge is essential, but relationships from friendships made during these coffee breaks are the foundation for real change. I made it a goal to take advantage of as many opportunities to meet new people as possible, even if sometimes it scares me.

But every time I did, I never regretted it. Building and maintaining authentic relationships is always worth it, and I look forward to sustaining these conversations beyond the conference halls.