METRO Magazine Logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Buses, Tech, and Education take center stage at BusCon 2019

"North America's Biggest Bus Show" returns to Indianapolis Sept. 23 to 25.

by Alex Roman, Managing Editor
May 27, 2019
Buses, Tech, and Education take center stage at BusCon 2019

This year’s show will feature up to 60 vehicles and all the latest products on the market.

3 min to read


From an educational standpoint, BusCon will feature sessions on the hottest trends in the industry.

Bringing buses, technology, and some of the latest educational topics, BusCon 2019 will return to the Indianapolis Convention Center in Indianapolis Sept. 23 to 25.

BusCon offers budget-conscious bus operators extraordinary value, with the Early Bird full conference pass starting at $120, which includes two networking receptions, educational programming, the exhibit hall, and more.

Ad Loading...

This year’s show will feature up to 60 vehicles, with offerings ranging from electric buses from BYD, Complete Coach Works, and Proterra to shuttles from IC Bus and Micro Bird and wheelchair accessible offerings from ARBOC Specialty Vehicles, BraunAbility, and MobilityTrans, as well as everything in between.

The show floor will also feature the latest technologies in the industry from a range of suppliers offering surveillance cameras, seating and fabrics, HVAC systems, driver training, software, and more.

BusCon offers budget-conscious bus operators extraordinary value, with the Early Bird full conference pass starting at $120.

Find Out What’s New
From an educational standpoint, BusCon will feature sessions on the hottest trends in the industry.

Session topics on the slate this year, include a look at how fleets can go from pilot to full adoption of electric vehicles, how autonomous vehicles can integrate with public transit and other mobility options, and how tech can transform your bus operation.

For limousine, motorcoach operators, and more, BusCon will take a look at the best ways to retain drivers, as well as how to prepare your operation for new safety regulations coming down the pike and how to make your overall operations more dynamic.

Ad Loading...

Returning with a special session on Monday, Sept. 23, the National Transit Institute will host a session on Transit Asset Management for Tier II providers.

Maintenance, Awards and More
The Transit Maintenance Forum (TMF) will also return to BusCon this year, which gives senior transit maintenance professionals the chance to learn about some of the latest trends they are facing in their shops. Holding this event at BusCon also affords transit professionals the unique opportunity to network and share challenges with peers and keep up-to-date with the newest vehicles, technologies, and products on the market today.  

Content for TMF will again be created by a steering committee that features some of the most experienced and well-regarded maintenance professionals in the industry, including Bus Maintenance Consultant and well-known Industry Expert Halsey King.

This year’s show will feature up to 60 vehicles and all the latest products on the market.

As of press time, topics on tap for TMF, include battery-electric bus training, risk management in the world of emerging pandemic outbreaks, and an overview from  FTA’s Altoona Bus Testing center, which will provide a look at how the program is changing as bus technology continues to evolve.

Attendees have the opportunity to not only attend TMF, but also all of BusCon’s networking events and the Keynote Address.     

Ad Loading...

In association with METRO Magazine, BusCon will also be naming its Transit Maintenance Directors of the Year. Now in its second year, the award was designed to honor two bus maintenance directors — one with a fleet of over 501 vehicles, and one with a fleet under 500 vehicles (includes paratransit operators) — who have gone above and beyond to create a well-run maintenance shop. To apply, visit www.metro-magazine.com/TMDOTY.

METRO will also unveil its Innovative Solutions Award winners, which rewards suppliers and operators for programs that have benefitted their operation and passengers, while the Propane Education & Research Council will award fleets for their success in transitioning to propane autogas.

In addition to all that, BusCon gives attendees an opportunity to meet both old and new friends at its fun and exciting networking events, and for operators and suppliers to come together and meet face-to-face with BusCon Connect.

Stay tuned to www.metro-magazine.com for all the latest developments with the show, including the final schedule and announcement for this year’s Keynote Address.

For more information and to register, visit www.BusConExpo.com or call (800) 576-8788.

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

More Bus

Turning Transportation Challenges into Opportunities
Management•by Alex Roman•October 22, 2026

Brian Dickson on Building Stronger, More Resilient Transportation Organizations

Bus Business Consultants Founder Brian Dickson discusses the leadership principles, operational discipline, and strategic planning that separate transportation companies positioned for long-term success from those stuck in survival mode.

Read More →
Groundbreaking ceremony for LA Metro's Vermont Transit Corridor BRT
Bus•by Staff and News Reports•October 22, 2026

LA Metro Breaks Ground on Vermont BRT Project

The 12.4-mile corridor is projected to serve 66,200 daily riders, reduce travel times by up to 24%, and create the nation's busiest bus rapid transit corridor.

Read More →
ABC Companies President and CEO Roman Cornell
Bus•by Alex Roman•October 21, 2026

Roman Cornell on ABC Companies’ Evolution and the Future of Passenger Transportation

The company’s CEO discusses carrying forward a third-generation family legacy, ABC’s continued evolution in passenger transportation, support for increasingly complex fleets, and how technology and continued investment could help operators improve uptime.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
VIA Primo BRT bus riders
Bus•by Alex Roman•October 19, 2026

VIA Bus Ridership Grows 10.1% Through August 2026

San Antonio's VIA Metropolitan Transit reported the highest bus ridership growth among major Texas transit systems. Federal Transit Administration data ranked it second among the nation's 50 largest transit systems.

Read More →
Crowd waiting for LA Metro bus
Management•by Staff and News Reports•October 16, 2026

LA Metro September Ridership Climbs 3.9%, Led by Rail Growth

The agency recorded more than 27.2 million boardings, with rail ridership increasing 12.4% year over year and the D Line posting the largest gains.

Read More →
The Frontrunner XF on the APTA Expo show floor in 2026.
Paratransit•by Alex Roman•October 15, 2026

Frontrunner Bus Group Introduces XF Low-Floor Bus with Enhanced Accessibility

The new mid-sized bus features a full flat-floor design, eight-inch curbside step-in height, and zero-entry rear ramp to improve passenger access and operational flexibility.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
An overhead view of APTA EXPO's show floor.
Management•by Alex Roman•October 9, 2026

Scenes from APTA TRANSform & EXPO 2026

Transit leaders, manufacturers, and industry professionals gathered in Chicago to explore new technologies, share ideas, and discuss the future of public transportation.

Read More →
DRPA interns with program swag.
Management•by Alex Roman•October 1, 2026

More Than a Summer Job: Building the Next Generation of Transit Talent

The Delaware River Port Authority and PATCO have transformed their internship program into a hands-on professional development experience that introduces students to the breadth of transportation careers — and creates a pipeline for future employees.

Read More →
A shot of ENC's manufacturing facility
Zero Emissions•by Alex Roman•September 30, 2026

LA Metro Board Awards 220 Battery-Electric Bus Contract to ENC

The contract, which is the largest base award of battery-electric buses by a U.S. transit agency, will be built in Southern California, sustaining good jobs as LA prepares to welcome the world in 2028

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Help Shape the 2027 Public Transit Conference
Management•by Alex Roman•September 29, 2026

Public Transit Conference Returning to GFX in 2027, Call for Papers Now Open

The Call for Papers is now open, allowing transit agency professionals and industry experts to help shape the PTC educational program by submitting session ideas for consideration.

Read More →