From April 15 to 16, BUS2BUS 2026 will focus not only on innovations in the bus industry, but above all on those who are shaping this future: young talent and bus drivers. With an expanded Young Professionals Program and the first-ever Bus Driver Day, the trade show is sending a clear signal for securing skilled workers, promoting young talent, and raising the profile of systemically important professions.

“When we talk about the future of mobility, we must above all talk about the people who make it possible,” says Kerstin Kube-Erkens, Director of BUS2BUS. “With the Young Professionals Program and Bus Driver Day, we are sending a clear signal: the bus industry needs new approaches, new voices, and new energy. BUS2BUS is the place where this future begins. We want to inspire young talent, empower experienced professionals, and finally give bus drivers the visibility they deserve.”

The Young Professionals Program is aimed at a generation that is rethinking mobility—open to technology, sustainable, and connected. Young professionals, career changers, and employers will find formats ranging from keynotes and panels to workshops and trade show tours that offer guidance and create space for exchange.

Highlights include the opening keynote on AI & technology, as well as the “Next Generation Mobility” tour, which provides direct insights into innovations in the industry. Workshops on recruiting and digital bus tourism provide practical knowledge. Panel discussions highlight the mobility needs and requirements of new target groups, analyze the current conditions in the industry, and show how the combination of long-standing expertise and fresh perspectives can effectively advance companies.

On April 16, BUS2BUS is hosting its first Bus Driver Day – an event that highlights the importance of this profession and appeals to people who are interested in working in public transport or bus tourism. The day will start with a reception on the green carpet at hub27 and a joint tour to the Future Forum Stage. Under the motto “Nothing rollsithout you.” BUS2BUS honors drivers as the heart of mobility.

Bus Driver Day puts the spotlight on the driving profession with a varied program: After the official welcome, all participants will receive a carefully curated goodie bag. There will be talks and panels on the driving profession on stage. The presentation of new bus models is also likely to attract attention. These can not only be viewed on site, but also tried out without a driver's license. Another highlight is a meet-and-greet with Michel Schwartz. He is a bus driver, industry ambassador, and one of the best-known bus influencers in the German-speaking world.