VII International Transport Festival TransportFest 2026 kicks off

On May 21, the VII International Transport Festival "TransportFest" kicked off in St. Petersburg. As tradition dictates, the opening event was the XXVIII International Bus Driver Professional Skills Competition, which brought together the industry's strongest professionals at the venue.

This year, 180 drivers competing in 77 teams are taking part in the competition. The contenders include 73 teams from Russian regions, three teams from the Republic of Belarus, and one team from Kazakhstan. Participants will face challenges that test not only speed and precision but also composure, attention, and flawless vehicle handling. The names of the best international-class drivers will be announced soon: the awards ceremony will take place on May 22 on the main stage of TransportFest on Manezhnaya Square.

The festival is gradually gaining momentum. Following the competition program, business events for the professional community are getting underway. As part of TransportFest, technical visits are being held: specialists are exchanging experience, exploring modern infrastructure and solutions at bus and tram depots, and visiting the F. A. Pirotsky Neva Electric Transport Plant (PC Transport Systems LLC) and the automated depot of the Slavyanka tram line (BaltNedvizhServis LLC).

In the afternoon, an offsite meeting of the Commission on Passenger Transport Development under the Public Council of the Ministry of Transport of the Russian Federation will take place at the St. Petersburg Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Participants will discuss key areas of industry transformation: the introduction of autonomous public transport, the development of multimodal systems and digital services, as well as the formation of an effective regional model for transport management.

Ahead lie three days of an intensive program and professional discussions within the atmosphere of a major city celebration. We are hoping for good weather and wish festival guests new experiences and the warmest memories of TransportFest 2026!

Organizers of the festival: Committee on Transport, SPb GUP "Passazhiravtotrans", RESTEC Exhibition Company LLC, and the Foundation for Support of Strategic Development Projects.