The American Public Transportation Association (APTA) has opened its 2026 TRANSform Conference & EXPO in Chicago, bringing together public transport agencies, policymakers, suppliers and technology companies.
The event runs from 5–7 October and is focused on developments in public transport equipment, technology, infrastructure and operations.
The event comes as the US public transport sector invests in sustainable technologies and network modernisation.
APTA President and CEO Paul P. Skoutelas said:As agencies scale up sustainable tech and modernise networks, the innovations debuting on the EXPO floor this week will define the future of public transportation mobility. As we gather for EXPO 2026, we celebrate a $102 billion industry experiencing unprecedented momentum. We are not just meeting today’s infrastructure needs, we are re-inventing modern public transit and passenger rail to drive economic growth and create more connected, sustainable communities.
The US public transport industry is valued at 102 billion USD, with current investment focused on infrastructure renewal, fleet technology and network development.
One of the main themes at the exhibition is the development of next-generation fleets and the infrastructure required to support them. Exhibitors are showcasing technologies including hydrogen fuel-cell rail, heavy-duty vehicle charging systems and solutions for managing the impact of transport electrification on electricity grids.
The focus also extends beyond individual zero-emission vehicles to the wider infrastructure needed to operate and maintain them.
Artificial intelligence is another key theme at the event, with exhibitors presenting applications for everyday public transport operations. These include predictive maintenance for rail assets and real-time demand planning for bus services.
Technology providers are also highlighting connected regional networks, including integrated fare systems and shared data platforms designed to help coordinate services across urban and suburban areas.
Skoutelas added:As agencies scale up sustainable tech and modernise networks, the innovations debuting on the EXPO floor this week will define the future of public transportation mobility. As we gather for EXPO 2026, we celebrate a $102 billion industry experiencing unprecedented momentum. We are not just meeting today’s infrastructure needs, we are re-inventing modern public transit and passenger rail to drive economic growth and create more connected, sustainable communities.
Alongside technology, funding and financial sustainability are expected to feature prominently during the conference. Many public transport agencies are facing budget pressures, with sessions addressing potential funding models, partnerships and transit-oriented development as possible approaches to supporting long-term investment.
The event is taking place in Chicago, whose public transport network serves more than 1.3 million passenger journeys each day across six counties. The region is also undergoing major investment, with more than 11 billion USD in capital projects completed or announced.
This includes the 5.7 billion USD Red Line Extension, which will extend Chicago Transit Authority services further south and is the largest single transit project in the city’s history.
The region’s public transport system is also entering a period of organisational change under the Northern Illinois Transit Authority (NITA), which is intended to coordinate service, fares and planning across the Chicago Transit Authority, Metra and Pace.
APTA’s first EXPO was held in Chicago in 1981. The association has returned to the city for the 2026 event, 45 years after the inaugural exhibition.
