17 May 2024
IT-TRANS 2024 proves its worth as a global showcase for future mobility solutions
With maximum customer satisfaction and international appeal, go-ahead already given for 2026 edition
Consistently positive feedback from both exhibitors and attendees from all over the world made IT-TRANS 2024, the leading international exhibition and conference for intelligent solutions in public transport at Messe Karlsruhe, once again a global showcase and benchmark for digitalisation. For three days, around 250 exhibitors from 30 countries demonstrated solutions that will make future mobility even more attractive, efficientand sustainable. This year's event also marked the start of a successful 2026 edition of IT-TRANS, with the first of two halls already sold out.
"We are experts in bringing solutions, products and topics to the fore, and uniting the players and pioneers of future mobility in one place,” says Britta Wirtz, Managing Director of Messe Karlsruhe. “With its unique ecosystem of global players, excellent research institutions and innovative transport companies, Karlsruhe is the ideal host for movers and shakers in the context of public transport." Dr Volker Wissing, Minister for Digital Affairs and Transport, also emphasised the importance of IT-TRANS in his opening speech: "Digitalization will help local authorities to cope with the increasing demand for mobility in an environmentally friendly manner. It is therefore good to see that IT-TRANS is focusing on digital solutions and relevant applications.”
The importance of IT-TRANS as a meeting place for the industry is also shown by the visitor survey: 95% confirmed that all topics that are currently important for digitalisation in public transport were covered at IT-TRANS. And it’s precisely this focus that attracts an unrivalled specialist audience that can only be found at this unique event.
For Claus Emmerich, Head of Services at Berliner Verkehrsbetriebe (BVG), IT-TRANS is a must in his diary: "IT-TRANS is a fixed date for us and our team, as we work in a very data-orientated way when planning services and passenger information. This is where we meet many of the manufacturers that are relevant to us - both to discuss current topics and projects in a focused manner, and to get new impetus for activities that we want to initiate in our company." Visitor Christina Alexandrowiz, from National Rail Express, adds: "We came here to find out about new products and developments in the public transport sector. It was successful and very worthwhile."
In-depth technical discussions
The approximately 250 exhibitors from 30 nations also reported high-quality discussions at their stands: Stefan Harsch, COO Public Transport at T-Systems International, said: "We are exhausted - and that is a very good sign! The stand was overflowing and we had a large number of productive discussions, both at the booth and networking events. This is where the who's who of public transport meets, and we are happy to have been here." Managing Director of AMCON, Olaf Clausen, was also highly satisfied: "IT-TRANS shows how great it is that there is an exhibition tailored to our precise target group. This was demonstrated by the high number of visitors to our stand. At times, there were hardly any breaks for our trade fair team to catch their breath." Iker Estébanez Mediavilla, Head of International Business Development at gmv, adds: “IT TRANS has been a highly engaging and valuable experience for us. We've found the exhibition particularly enlightening, allowing us to connect with quality visitors who have a deep interest in and understanding of public transport technologies.“
Around 6,500 experts from all seven continents once again made this year's event a global platform for discussing current challenges facing the industry and developing solutions. There was a marked increase in the number of visitors to the show, compared with the conference, thus confirming its market position.
Driving the future: AI, big data and more
Artificial intelligence was one of the many future-oriented topics that played a role at IT-TRANS. Both the stands and the conference focused on the question of how large amounts of data can be used to improve planning, resource management and attractiveness with the help of AI and automated processes. Other focal points included efficiency and process optimisation using digital tools to reduce staff shortages, convenient ticketing solutions for occasional public transport users as well as on-demand solutions and autonomous driving for the last mile.
IT-TRANS 2026: From the market, for the market
The next IT-TRANS will take place from 3 to 5 March 2026 at Messe Karlsruhe. The International Association of Public Transport (UITP) will continue to develop important conference sessions on relevant industry topics at the interface between digitalisation and public transport, while Messe Karlsruhe will act as the sole organiser. In future, a Steering Committee headed by Prof. Dr. Alexander Pischon, Managing Director of the transport companies VBK and AVG and the Karlsruhe Transport Association KVV, as well as VDV Regional Group Chairman Baden-Württemberg, and an Exhibition and Programme Committee will complement the long-standing expertise of Messe Karlsruhe for the next events. This concept, which is practised intensively at Messe Karlsruhe, enables the industry to play an active role in shaping IT-TRANS, thus making it ever-more relevant for the needs of the market.
IT-TRANS Senior Project Manager Markus Kocea is looking forward to the further development of the event: "The first offering for the 2026 edition is an optimised hall concept with additional workshop and exchange formats that will bring people, products and know-how even closer together. Our attendees and exhibitors are already telling us that IT-TRANS is their go-to place for meetings, business and inspiration. Here, the mobility of tomorrow becomes reality."
Daniel Ackers, from VDV eTicket Service, comments on this year’s event: "There was great interest in our new offerings such as the eticore ticket standard. We were able to welcome many customers on site and had good discussions." VDV eTicket Service is one of the companies that already booked a stand for 2026 with the first of two halls already sold out.