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
Thursday 19 November 2026, in the evening, at the National Institute of Statistics in Bucharest, Sala Amfiteatru. The Gala closes the main day of ROPAT and recognises the work of the institutions, operators, projects and people who are modernising public transport across Romania.
The ROPAT 2026 awards are granted by ARSC on the basis of the past year's activity, the investments made, the quality of management, the projects delivered and the results achieved in improving public transport services. ROPAT awards are a form of professional recognition. Winners may mention them in their public communication, but they do not replace certifications, approvals, audits or technical and contractual documents.
The eight categories of the 4th edition.
An urban, suburban or metropolitan public transport company, assessed on operating results, service quality and the projects completed over the past year.
The purchase, commissioning and operation of electric, hydrogen or low-emission vehicles, together with the related infrastructure.
Payment and validation systems, mobility platforms, passenger apps, interoperability between operators.
Depots, terminals, intermodal hubs, charging stations, traffic signal and public transport priority systems.
Integrating public transport services across several local administrative units, in both fares and operations.
Safety of passengers and staff, accessible vehicles and stops, inclusion.
An individual award for the executive or technical management of a public transport operator.
For an outstanding contribution to the development of public transport in Romania.
Who grants the awards. The awards are granted by the Romanian Smart City Association (ARSC), the organiser of ROPAT.
On what basis. ARSC chooses the winners on the basis of public information, recommendations received and documents provided. It looks at the past year's activity, the investments made, the quality of management, the projects delivered and the results achieved.
Who can receive an award. Public transport operators, local and central public authorities, inter-municipal transport development associations, companies that have delivered projects in Romanian public transport, and professionals in the field.
Recommendations. Projects and people worth considering can be brought to ARSC's attention by email, at [email protected]. A recommendation is not an application and does not guarantee an award.
The rule for partners. When a commercial partner supports a category, its name is associated with that category and it hands over the trophy on stage. The partner takes no part in the selection, has no influence on the awards and cannot win in the category it supports.
Conflict of interest. Being an ARSC member, partner or sponsor is not a criterion for the awards and gives no advantage in the selection.
What the winner receives. The official ROPAT 2026 trophy, a diploma of excellence and a feature on the project in ARSC's communications after the event.
A commercial partnership does not influence editorial selection and plays no part in the awards. Partner status does not guarantee a place on a panel or an award. Speaker selection and the awards are handled separately from the commercial relationship.
The Smart City Romania network, run by ARSC
News on projects, investments and solutions for smart communities in Romania