Today, the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) kicked off the APTA 2026 TRANSform Conference & EXPO in Chicago. The event runs through October 7 and brings together public transportation leaders, policymakers, suppliers, and tech pioneers from around the world to explore the equipment, technology, and ideas shaping the industry’s future.

“As agencies scale up sustainable tech and modernize networks, the innovations debuting on the EXPO floor this week will define the future of public transportation mobility," said APTA President and CEO Paul P. Skoutelas. "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.”

Trending Topics at EXPO

The trends driving the agenda at APTA 2026 TRANSform & EXPO revolve around evolving fleet tech, artificial intelligence, and operational resilience. Attendees will find the heaviest floor traffic centered around four critical industry themes:

• Next-Generation Fleets and Infrastructure: The focus has shifted from individual zero-emission vehicles to the systems that support them, including hydrogen fuel-cell rail, heavy-duty charging networks, and power grid planning.
• Artificial Intelligence in Daily Operations: Exhibitors are demonstrating how AI has moved beyond back-office tasks to support day-to-day operations, including predictive rail maintenance and real-time bus demand planning.
• Connected Regional Networks: Technology providers are unveiling unified fare systems and shared data platforms that help agencies link city and suburban service into one seamless rider experience.
• Securing Long-Term Funding: As many agencies face budget shortfalls, sessions will explore new funding approaches, partnerships, and transit-oriented development strategies that support long-term financial stability.

Chicago: The Ideal Backdrop for Innovation

Chicago's public transportation network provides more than 1.3 million rides a day across six counties. It is entering a new era under the Northern Illinois Transit Authority (NITA), which coordinates service, fares, and planning across the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA), Metra, and Pace. More than $11 billion in capital projects have been completed or announced in the region, including the $5.7 billion Red Line Extension, the largest single transit project in the city's history.

“Chicago is a city that helped build America, and public transportation has long been central to its growth,” Skoutelas said. “The first APTA EXPO was held here in 1981. Forty-five years later, we are proud to return to a city that shows how transit connects people to opportunity and helps communities thrive.”