175,000 visitors, 3200 exhibitors from 59 countries, for the 30th anniversary, InnoTrans can claim success. As an attendee, I learned a lot from a design, tech and travel point of view. From a creative’s eye the scope of the projects are awe inspiring. As Europe accelerates towards more cross border and night train travel the locomotive industry is going through an major upgrade period with railway, hardware and software innovations. Less runways more rails, could traveling from the Baltic States to Cadiz, Spain by train become a convenient feat? Ambition is being matched by national commitments and investments from governments and operators.
New custom interiors styled for long travel could be a tipping point for travelers preferring the ground over the air. As the EU pushes for one ticket, one journey tickets there is a push for single market integration. At the time of writing there, is talk of coordinating long distance train ticket purchases on new platforms.
The nest InnTrans happens in 2028 in Berlin.