Yesterday's digital event “Roadshow Berlin” marked the grand finale of the BUS2BUS international and digital roadshow series and at the same time served as the kick-off for BUS2BUS 2026. The livestream event brought together leading industry representatives to assess current developments, discuss strategic perspectives, and provide concrete insights into the focal points of the anniversary edition.

After stops in Southeast Asia, Hungary, Czechia, and the DACH region, Berlin was the last stop on the roadshow and also marked the direct transition to the trade show, which will take place in Berlin on April 15 and 16, 2026.

The discussion focused on the transformation of the bus and mobility industry, which is characterised by a transition in drive systems, digitalisation, infrastructure issues, regulatory requirements and rising economic conditions.

Kerstin Kube-Erkens, Director of BUS2BUS at the Berlin Trade Show, presented the focus of the anniversary edition's content and emphasised the event's mission: "The industry is in the midst of transformation," she said. She also emphasised the role of BUS2BUS as a platform for classification and exchange: “However, we are not only talking about distant visions and impulses, but also about what can be implemented today.”

She also pointed to the event's strong growth: With two exhibition halls, BUS2BUS 2026 will reach a new dimension. There will also be a 16,000-square-metre outdoor area for test drives and demonstrations, with over 50 buses ranging from autonomous minibuses to coaches. Around 130 exhibitors from 18 countries will be present, as well as four stages and more than 100 sessions and programme items featuring over 120 international speakers.

Christiane Leonard, CEO of the German Bus and Coach Operators Association (bdo), evaluated the current operating environment for bus companies. She stated that political and economic dynamics, such as digitalisation, the transition to new drive systems and a lack of infrastructure, particularly affect the transport industry.

“We are living in very turbulent times, both politically and economically, at a national and international level,” she explained. Regarding the transformation of the industry, she added, 'The transport industry is affected by these dynamics and this transformation process much more than other industries.”

At the same time, she highlighted the advantages of buses as a mode of transport: “Buses simply have strategic advantages because they can react incredibly quickly and are highly effective and cost-efficient.”

Dr Stefan Carsten, a futurist and the head of the BUS2BUS Advisory Board, presented the content guidelines for the stage programme as the curator of the Future Forum Stage. The focus is consistently on future topics that are crucial for the industry.

“Companies that engage with the future are more successful. We know this from empirical analysis," said Carsten. Accordingly, the Future Forum will focus on topics such as artificial intelligence, autonomous mobility, mobility as a service, next-generation mobility, sustainable tourism, transformation and new drive and energy landscapes.

Carsten particularly emphasised the importance of new mobility concepts: “We must prepare ourselves for how mobility, and bus mobility in particular, will develop in the future.”

Maximilian Rohs, Director of Infrastructure & Mobility at PwC Germany, discussed the long-term development of bus travel in Germany and Europe. He believes that buses will play a central role in integrated mobility systems in the future, especially when combined with new mobility services, digital platforms and evolving mobility needs.

“Buses will play a very central role,” Rohs emphasised with regard to the future of public transport. He also provided strategic insights into current industry trends and outlined prospects for companies, cities, and regions up to 2040.

The roadshow emphasised the close link between technological developments, political conditions and economic realities in the bus industry. It also emphasised the role of buses as a flexible, efficient and sustainable mode of transport in future mobility systems.

With the conclusion of the international digital roadshow series, attention now turns to BUS2BUS 2026, which will take place on 15 and 16 April in Berlin and will once again bring the industry together.

Tickets for BUS2BUS 2026 are available from the official ticket shop. Trade visitors can receive a 50 percent discount on season tickets by using the code BUS2BUS50.

About BUS2BUS
BUS2BUS is the Mobility Trade Show. The business platform and trend barometer for the German and European bus, coach and supplier industry puts a clear focus on future technologies and sustainable solutions. BUS2BUS presents the entire range of products and services for the bus industry through a combination of trade show, stage program, workshops, networking events and digital services – which in turn boosts momentum in the mobility market. BUS2BUS 2024 was attended by around 2,400 trade visitors from 39 countries and 140 exhibiting companies from 20 countries. The next BUS2BUS will take place from April 15 to 16, 2026 in the modern top location hub27 on the Berlin exhibition grounds.

About Messe Berlin
Berlin has been a trade fair destination for 200 years, and has been one of the most important such hubs for many decades. Messe Berlin – the state’s own trade fair company – conceives, markets and organizes hundreds of live events every year. It strives to be an outstanding host for visitors at all events, generate optimal business stimuli, and provide fair conditions for everyone. This concept is reflected in the company slogan: Messe Berlin – Hosting the World.