National Public Transport Congress · 4th edition
Organised by the Romanian Smart City Association in partnership with URTP - the Romanian Union of Public Transport | the Federation of Urban, Suburban and Metropolitan Passenger Transport OperatorsOrganised by ARSC in partnership with URTP | TUSMC Federation
The 4th edition runs over four days in Bucharest. The times for the main day are published below; times for the other days are sent directly to participants. Places on the editorial panels are selective, based on professional relevance, proven expertise and what the speaker brings to the topic. Commercial contributions, where there are any, are kept separate and clearly labelled.
18-21 November 2026 · Bucharest
The 2026 programme is built around the experience of Romania's public transport operators: the real operating problems they face and the solutions they apply day to day.
The programme below is the working proposal for the 4th edition. Thursday's times are those of the working programme; times for the other days are sent directly to participants.
Welcome dinner
A small-format dinner hosted by the President of ARSC together with the leadership of the TUSMC Federation. 80 seats, by personal invitation only: heads of transport operators, directors of intercommunity development associations (ADIs), regulators, mayors and the event's partners.
Main day - conference and the Romanian Public Transport Awards Gala
National Institute of Statistics (Institutul Național de Statistică), Sala Amfiteatru, Bd. Libertății nr. 16, sector 5
Welcome, accreditation, coffee and networking.
Opening of the 4th edition, with representatives of the Romanian Government, the European Commission, ARSC and the partner organisations.
Addresses by representatives of the Government, the European Commission and the partner organisations. Passenger public transport as strategic infrastructure for urban and metropolitan Romania.
The role of city halls, intercommunity development associations, county councils and operators in building integrated services for passengers.
Time to connect for public authorities, operators and suppliers.
Fleet renewal, clean vehicles, depots, maintenance, charging infrastructure and the real cost per kilometre.
Payments, validation, apps, open data, real-time information, AI, route optimisation and the relationship with passengers. Interoperability and fare and digital integration. Practical applications of artificial intelligence in public transport. AI in public transport - from technology to measurable results.
Networking and conversations between participants.
What can persuade people to leave the car at home? Safe, inclusive and predictable public transport: accessibility, information, security, comfort and communication with passengers.
"The driver shortage: who will operate the fleets bought by 2030?"
Conclusions of the conference and the way forward. Close of the conference and announcement of the Gala.
Guests arrive for the Romanian Public Transport Awards Gala.
The official awards ceremony.
The dinner that closes the main day, straight after the ceremony: public authorities, operators, industry, academia and partner organisations.
TUSMC Federation day
The Federation has its own programme and a dedicated meeting for its members, hosted within ROPAT. The agenda, format and list of participants are decided entirely by the Federation.
Site visits and technical sessions
A visit to a partner public transport operator, with access to the depot, the fleet and the control centre. Small group; the host operator will be announced soon.
Small-group sessions for technical directors, fleet managers and maintenance leads. Topics: fleet maintenance and availability, charging infrastructure, operational monitoring and training of technical staff.
The Smart City Romania network, run by ARSC
News on projects, investments and solutions for smart communities in Romania