Major fleet investment and new vehicle sales mark Euro Bus Expo 2026
Attendance rises 6% as the sold-out exhibition brings together 206 exhibitors and 110 vehicles at the NEC Birmingham, with major fleet investments announced and further orders secured.
Euro Bus Expo 2026 welcomed 7,421 industry professionals to the NEC Birmingham from 3–5 November, an increase of 6% on 2024. The sold-out exhibition featured 206 exhibitors, including 33 vehicle manufacturers, dealers and converters, and 110 buses, coaches, minibuses and midibuses, up from 75 vehicles two years ago.
Major fleet investments announced during the three-day event included an order worth approximately £10 million from Transport Made Simple for 50 Alexander Dennis Enviro200 buses. Wrightbus also announced a contract to convert 43 First Bus StreetDeck double-deckers from diesel to battery-electric power.
Further deals were concluded during the exhibition. Alexander Dennis secured an order for seven Enviro200 MMC buses from Edwards Coaches, while VDL Bus Group reported sales of several Futura 3 coaches and a Van Hool T16 Astron.
Major orders, new models and UK debuts
The exhibition brought together established manufacturers and new market entrants, with major launches spanning diesel, battery-electric and accessible passenger transport.
BYD unveiled its low-height C12 Duo battery-electric coach, while CBC introduced its Voyage range, and the VDL Futura 3 made its right-hand-drive debut. Other highlights included Volvo’s B13R UNVI XL, the Higer Azure 9, new vehicles from Zhongtong and Scania’s next-generation Touring.
Scania reported a series of coach orders, including five Tourings for Prospect Coaches and seven for McLeans Coaches. Pats Coaches and Astons Coaches also ordered Tourings, while Princess Coaches signed for a Scania Irizar and R.G. Jamieson & Son confirmed orders for its first two Scania coaches. A further Scania Irizar order for J.K.T. International was confirmed following the exhibition.
Alexander Dennis also handed over a new Enviro400 double-decker to Weardale Motor Services at the show, marking the operator’s centenary.
Australian manufacturer Custom Denning made its first UK exhibition appearance with the Element 2.2 battery-electric bus, announcing a new sales partnership with TSUK. Irizar UK displayed a new i6S Efficient for Angela Coaches and an 18.7-metre articulated Irizar ie tram destined for London Gatwick Airport.
On the Pelican Bus + Coach stand, Nottingham City Transport unveiled the first of 18 next-generation Yutong U11DD electric double-deckers. An opening-day presentation recognised First Bus’s order for Yutong GT14 coaches, the largest order for the model to date. KT’s Coaches of Kendal also signed for a new GT14.
EVM UK & Ireland confirmed the sale of 10 Citylite minibuses to Dawsongroup Bus and Coach and handed over a new 22-seat Classic minibus to Parkers Travel at the show. Other deals included vehicles for Maynes Coaches and Glen Valley Tours. Nicholson Coachbuilders launched three luxury small coaches, while Mellor Treka Bus introduced its new battery-electric accessible minibus range.
Following the exhibition, Asset Alliance Group also confirmed an agreement to supply Hodgson’s Coaches with two Volvo B8RLE MCV eVoRa buses.
Technology suppliers also introduced new products, services and partnerships. Highlights included Ticketer’s Fareway payment solution, Don’t Travel Empty’s DTE One management system and eCoachManager’s AI-powered Astra assistant. Freeway Fleet Systems launched an integration with TransMach Systems, allowing drivers to complete daily vehicle safety checks using their ticketing device. GreenRoad and DYMsense also announced a partnership combining alcohol detection technology with ongoing driver safety monitoring.
Commercial engagement extended beyond orders and launches. Euro Bus Expo Connect, sponsored by Troman Industries, recorded 30% more meetings than in 2024.
Steve Appleby, Head of Bus Engineering at Transport for Greater Manchester, said: “Euro Bus Expo was superb. I used the meeting planner to ensure I met all the suppliers I needed to, but also engaged with others I wouldn’t have outside of this forum.”
From fleet investment to day-to-day operations
The Masterclass Theatre, sponsored by Elite Vehicle Supplies (part of Motormax Group), brought together 48 speakers across 25 sessions. Graham Vidler, Chief Executive of show partner the Confederation of Passenger Transport (CPT), opened the programme with an overview of the industry’s political and operational landscape.
A panel featuring Arriva, Optibus, Intangles and SURE drew a standing-room-only audience to explore practical applications of AI, from network planning and predictive maintenance to computer vision that turns existing on-bus CCTV into insight on occupancy, accessibility and safety.
Other sessions covered coach operations, policy and compliance, the future of coach businesses and workforce challenges. Topics also included rural bus franchising, Enhanced Partnerships, accessibility, autonomous buses, electric fleet operations and the implications of the Bus Services Act for smaller operators.
Eight new facilitated roundtables brought operators, local authorities and industry suppliers together to explore shared challenges. Discussions covered driver retention, hydrogen, engineering and maintenance, franchising, Enhanced Partnerships, AI and data, PSVAR requirements from 2030, and electric fleet operations.
Insights from the discussions will be published in the coming weeks, alongside on-demand recordings of the Masterclass Theatre sessions.
Innovation Challenge showcases latest supplier developments
The Euro Bus Expo Innovation Challenge highlighted new products and services from suppliers designed to address real-world operator challenges. 2026 entries rose 54% to 20, reflecting the breadth of innovation across the industry, from AI-powered tools to advances in safety, accessibility and sustainability.
Visitors voted over the first two days, with ten finalists pitching to judges Keith McNally (CPT), John Bickerton (Exceliamus), Jason Edwards (Jason Edwards Travel) and Elaine Williams (Coach Travel Group).
Optibus and Camira received Judges’ Choice Gold awards for Optibus Agent, an AI-powered operational assistant, and RePlay Zero, a flame-retardant upholstery fabric made using recycled plastic bottles. GreenRoad’s AskMila, which identifies emerging driver and operational safety risks, secured Operator’s Choice Gold and Judges’ Choice Silver.
Seven other suppliers received awards. Full results are available on the Euro Bus Expo website.
Industry welcomes opportunities to connect and do business
Phil Vockins, General Manager at Motts Travel, said: “Having so many suppliers in one place made it easy to compare options and ask practical questions about how they’d work in our operation. I’d recommend it to any coach operator looking at their next vehicle or technology investment.”
Chris Edwards-Thorne, Marketing Manager at Altro, said: “Euro Bus Expo is the one show in the calendar where we know we’ll meet the people who matter to our business. Operators, OEMs and bodybuilders all under one roof.”
John Shier, Sales Manager at London Hire, said: “Euro Bus Expo is the diary date you must have in your schedule. It introduces new product ranges and technology while offering the best place to network with industry contacts. That’s why we have supported the show from day one as an exhibitor and will continue to do so.”
Looking ahead to 2028
Helen Conway, Group Director of Euro Bus Expo, said: “Euro Bus Expo has once again demonstrated the strength of its established biennial format and the value of an exhibition dedicated entirely to the coach and bus industry.
“The breadth of new vehicles, technology and services on display reflected the pace of development across the sector. Operators came with real decisions to make, exhibitors secured orders and new business relationships were formed.
“For more than three decades, Euro Bus Expo has brought the industry together when operators are reviewing their fleets and planning ahead. Our two-year cycle gives manufacturers and suppliers the opportunity to bring meaningful new developments to the show, while operators can explore what’s changed, compare options and make informed decisions.
“It’s fantastic to see so much business being done, reflecting confidence in the market. Thank you to everyone who made the event such a success.”
Euro Bus Expo returns to the NEC Birmingham from 7-9 November 2028
Rebooking for 2028 is off to a strong start, with around 30% of stands already earmarked by exhibitors. BYD, Pelican Bus + Coach, Alexander Dennis, Irizar UK, Volvo Group UK, Apex Buses, B.A.S.E, Noone Turas and Mellor are among those indicating they will return, with further bookings still being processed.
Companies interested in exhibiting are encouraged to book early for the widest choice of stand locations.
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