Belgium – Busworld Europe 2025 is fast approaching, set to take place at Brussels Expo, Belgium, from 4–9 October. At its heart sits the Busworld Congress, running from 6–7 October, structured around five thematic tracks. The opening theme, “The Socio-Economic Backbone of Public Transport: People, Technology and Market”, will bring together senior figures from across Europe’s transport ecosystem to examine how public transport underpins economic resilience, social inclusion, and the green transition.

This opening track on 6 October is designed as a deep dive into the human and operational factors that drive the industry’s success. It focuses on three pillars:

• People – exploring the crucial role of human resources, with topics ranging from strategies to address the ongoing driver shortage to innovative training programmes and measures to ensure the safety and well-being of both drivers and passengers.

• Technology – examining how digital tools and advanced systems are being deployed to enhance safety, efficiency and the passenger experience, including the use of data and AI for operational optimisation and the integration of ADAS (Advanced Driver-Assistance Systems).

• Market – considering the business and policy dimensions of the sector, with sessions covering tendering strategies for public transport, the economic contribution of coach tourism, and the financing mechanisms needed to build a sustainable industry, from green finance to public–private partnerships.

The importance of this conference for the industry cannot be overstated. It will convene a diverse and influential audience, including operators from the public and private sectors, city mobility authorities, manufacturers, suppliers, and EU policymakers. By facilitating dialogue between these stakeholders, the Congress aims to shape both innovation and policy for the coming decade.

Link to the Busworld Congress: https://www.busworldeurope.org/congress

*The Congress, a fixture of the global bus and coach industry, extends far beyond showcasing vehicles and components. It provides a critical forum for examining the wider ecosystem that enables public transport to operate and evolve.