The forthcoming edition of the International Bus and Coach Fair, organised by IFEMA MADRID from 22 to 24 September, will bring together the industry’s leading companies and associations at a crucial time for fleet renewal, sustainability and the digitalisation of public road transport.
The bus transport sector continues to cement its role as one of the cornerstones of collective mobility in Spain, against a backdrop of growth that will be reflected at the sixteenth edition of the International Bus and Coach Fair (FIAA), where the sector’s leading companies and associations will be represented. The event, organised by IFEMA MADRID from 22 to 24 September, is set to again cement its place as the industry’s premier gathering in southern Europe
According to data published by the National Statistics Institute (INE), buses carried more than 1.535 billion passengers in the first five months of 2026, an increase of 2.55% compared with the same period in 2025, when 1.497 billion passengers were recorded.
This trend confirms sustained growth, taking the sector to record highs. In May alone, over 327 million passengers travelled by bus, 11.3% more than in the same month the previous year.
This positive trend extends to virtually all segments of bus activity. Inter-city transport recorded a 2.5% increase, while non-scheduled services grew by 2.3% and urban transport rose by 0.8%. Only special services saw a slight fall of 1.7%.
Five consecutive years of growth
With these figures, bus transport has now recorded five consecutive years of growth. Since then, passenger numbers have risen steadily, reaching 3.571 billion in 2025.
This trend shows not only a recovery in activity, but also a structural shift in travel habits. The bus has cemented its place as an increasingly important solution for meeting the transport needs of the public, businesses and public authorities.
Rising demand is driving fleet renewal and the adoption of technologies aimed at improving operational efficiency, sustainability, safety and the travel experience. This trend is also reflected in the registration figures published by the National Association of Bus and Coach Bodywork Manufacturers (ASCABUS), which will be taking part in the forthcoming edition of FIAA 2026. In June, 324 buses were registered in Spain, of which 294 were new vehicles. So far this year, up to June, the market reached 2,003 registered units, made up of 1,603 inter-city vehicles and 400 city vehicles. In terms of technology, diesel remains the dominant fuel, with 1,451 units, while low- and zero-emission solutions are gaining ground, with 225 electric buses, 293 hybrid buses and 34 compressed natural gas (CNG) vehicles registered in the first half of the year.
FIAA will showcase how the industry is responding to the growth in mobility
This growth presents new challenges for operators, manufacturers and public authorities, who must meet ever-increasing demand without compromising on efficiency, sustainability or service quality. Against this backdrop, electrification, connectivity, the digitalisation of operations and safety are becoming increasingly important in the evolution of public road transport.
FIAA will serve as a meeting point where more than 100 exhibiting companies will be able to showcase their products, innovations and solutions to the challenges facing the sector. The trade fair will see manufacturers, bodywork manufacturers, technology suppliers, operators, fleet operators, industry associations and specialist companies all gather at IFEMA MADRID to showcase proposals designed to support this new phase of growth.
Among the key solutions on display will be zero-emission vehicles, advanced driver-assistance systems, smart fleet management platforms and digitalisation tools – all crucial to strengthening the role of buses in sustainable mobility in Spain and Europe.
FIAA will also feature a programme of conferences, round-table discussions, activities and presentations by exhibitors, which will be published on the exhibition website.
Registration as a trade visitor is available on the FIAA website.
Recent Comments