ERS Passenger Summit 2026

ERS Passenger Summit 2026

The ERS Passenger Summit takes place on 18–19 November 2026 in Prague, Czech Republic, bringing together senior professionals from across the passenger rail sector for two days of conference sessions, exhibition and networking. Organised by MB Rolling Stock Hub, the event is capped at 150 delegates, with attendance limited to decision-makers from operators, infrastructure managers, manufacturers, policymakers and technology providers.

Who Attends

The summit is aimed at senior-level professionals working across Western, Central and Eastern European passenger rail markets. Target attendees include fleet managers, procurement leads, operations directors, policy advisors and technology providers serving the passenger rail sector.

Exhibition

An exhibition area runs alongside the conference programme, with suppliers given individual booth space to engage with prospective clients. Exhibitor packages include two delegate passes, access to all event platforms, scanned business cards and access to the evening networking event. The number of exhibitor stands is limited; pricing is available on request via the event website.

Conference Programme

The two-day programme covers four broad theme areas: market, policy and economics; supply chain and procurement; technology, innovation and the passenger; and people, safety and the future of rail.

Keynote presentations and panel discussions scheduled across the two days include:

• Rail Liberalisation in Poland: Lessons for the CEE Market
• How Can We Make Sure to Have Enough Manpower? Strategies and Challenges of Labour Acquisition in the Rail Industry
• Cross-Border Operability and ETCS: A Tale of Signalling Systems
• Digital Smart Wagons: From Concepts to Reality
• Delivery Times: How Can European Manufacturers Compete with China?
• Owning vs Leasing: What Type of Asset Does a Fleet Present to an Operator?
• Beyond Profits: How Do We Finance Lines That Serve a Social Purpose?
• Sourcing Materials: Where Are the Biggest Struggles in the Production Line?
• Sub-sub-subcontracting: What Are the Biggest Challenges When Looking for a Partner to Supply To?
• Designing the Train of the Future: What Operators Want, What Manufacturers Are Building
• Smart Rail Connection: How 5G Is Changing Train Control and Passenger Experience
• Certifications Over Certifications: Is the EU Moving Fast Enough on Standardisation?
• Are We Over-Sensoring? How to Keep Modern Trains from Breaking More Often
• Accessibility and Trains: Has High-Speed Rail Left People Behind?
• Optimising for Safety: Designing the Protection of the Future
• Automation: Where Can It Take Us? Does It Address Labour Shortage?
• How Does Digitalisation and Design of Rolling Stock Shape the Passenger Experience?

An Innovation Spotlight session is also scheduled on Day 2.

Networking

Networking breaks are built into both days, taking place in the exhibition area. Day 1 concludes with an extended networking session and an evening event in Prague. Day 2 closes with a further networking session following the final panel discussion.

Registration

Registration and further information are available at ers-summit.com/passenger. Sponsorship and exhibition enquiries can be directed to Vytas Bimba, Managing Director, at [email protected]. Speaker and agenda enquiries should be directed to Mykolas Mataciunas, Operations Director, at [email protected].