APTA TRANSform & EXPO 2026 will take place from October 4 to 7, 2026, in Chicago, with the main exhibition held at McCormick Place Convention Center. Organised by the American Public Transportation Association (APTA), the event brings together transit agencies, manufacturers, technology suppliers, government representatives and mobility professionals from around the world. More than 12,000 attendees from 85 countries and over 800 exhibiting companies are expected. The exhibition focuses on the technologies, vehicles and operating systems shaping the future of buses, rail, urban transit and integrated public transportation networks.
The show floor covers buses, railcars, light rail and streetcars, alternative-fuel vehicles, automated transit systems, electrical equipment, fleet management, fare collection, passenger information and intelligent transport systems. Additional areas include communications, cybersecurity, safety equipment, vehicle components, heating and air-conditioning, sustainable materials and digital platforms. Visitors include transit agency executives, engineers, operations and maintenance teams, procurement specialists, planners, sustainability professionals and public-sector decision-makers responsible for purchasing and developing transportation infrastructure.
TRANSform runs alongside the exhibition as APTA’s flagship professional conference, combining keynote sessions, workshops, technical tours and discussions on transportation policy and operations. The 2026 programme addresses transformative technologies, infrastructure delivery, funding, safety and security, workforce development and major transit projects. EXPO Learning Zones provide additional education directly on the show floor, while the Procurement Summit brings together transit procurement leaders, manufacturers and suppliers to discuss contracting, supply chains and emerging technologies including AI-supported procurement. Together, TRANSform and EXPO connect policy, operations and technology across the global public transportation sector.
