At the forefront is the need to revive public transport demand – currently stalled at 7.9% according to the latest CNEL data – and to strengthen integration among buses, trains, shared mobility services, and micromobility, to offer a real alternative to private car use and promote truly intermodal mobility.

This challenge is accompanied by that of the energy transition, which demands an increasingly diversified mix of solutions – electric, hydrogen, gas, and clean diesel – tailored to different territorial and operational needs. However, adopting new energy sources cannot succeed without major investment in refueling and recharging infrastructure, without which the transition risks remaining incomplete. At the same time, the digital transition is profoundly transforming service offerings: from electronic ticketing to MaaS (Mobility as a Service) platforms, to intelligent systems for traffic and passenger flow management, innovation is becoming part of everyday collective mobility.

In this context, professional roles are also being redefined: the chronic shortage of drivers is now accompanied by a growing need for specialized personnel capable of integrating technologies, interpreting data, and managing complex systems. Here, the issue of public funding becomes central again: in its current form, the National Transport Fund appears inadequate to meet the needs of a rapidly evolving sector, which requires greater flexibility and investment capacity. The renewal of the national collective agreement for road and rail transport workers, signed on March 20, represents a first step in addressing the shortage of drivers, but alone it is not enough to fill existing gaps.

Meanwhile, a decisive deadline is approaching: 2026 will mark the beginning of a new round of public service contract tenders, a shift that could profoundly reshape the market structure, influencing the quality, organization, and economic sustainability of the services provided. Tourist coach transport is also undergoing significant changes, driven by growing demand and more flexible operational models. Fleet renewal, integration with local services, and adaptation to contemporary travel styles are rewriting the rules of the industry.

Alongside these changes, scenarios that until recently seemed futuristic are beginning to take shape. Autonomous driving and air mobility are starting to move out of laboratories and into urban and industrial strategies, outlining a future in which collective mobility will be increasingly connected, intelligent, and multimodal.

In Italy, the sector comprises 879 companies, 117,000 employees, about 5 billion passengers transported annually, over 49,000 vehicles in operation, with volumes exceeding 1.8 billion vehicle-kilometers and 225 million train-kilometers. This is a sector that generates a production value of around 12 billion euros and represents a strategic lever for sustainability, social cohesion, and national competitiveness.

Organized in partnership with Agens, Anav, and Asstra – the three main representative associations covering over 95% of the market – Next Mobility Exhibition 2026 will be the key reference point for understanding sector developments, experiencing the most innovative solutions, and engaging in dialogue about the policies needed to support the transition. The countdown has begun. The future of mobility awaits in one year, at Fiera Milano.