Busworld Southeast Asia has reinforced Jakarta’s position as a growing meeting point for the ASEAN bus and coach industry, with the 2026 event drawing strong regional and international participation.
Held from May 20 to 22, the fourth edition of Busworld Southeast Asia brought together 47 exhibitors from nine countries and 5,133 registered visitors from 41 countries. The exhibition covered about 8,000 square metres and featured 25 vehicles on display.
The event underscored Indonesia’s growing importance in the regional bus sector. The country has one of Southeast Asia’s largest bus markets and a strong local bodybuilder industry, supported by a chassis-and-bodybuilder model that differs from that in many European markets.
That local structure was central to several exhibitor strategies. MAN Truck & Bus made its Busworld Southeast Asia debut, focusing on chassis solutions and cooperation with Indonesian bodybuilders. Working with local partner PT Millennium Inframach Distribusi Indonesia, the company used the event to highlight local market knowledge and existing customer relationships.
MAN and Inframach reported constructive discussions with bodybuilders and secured a repeat order during the show, pointing to continued interest in Indonesia’s bus market.
The exhibition also highlighted the growing role of passenger experience in Southeast Asian bus and coach design. Premium seating layouts, high-quality interiors and sleeper-coach concepts attracted strong attention, particularly in the long-distance segment, where operators are increasingly offering multiple travel classes.
Electrification was another visible theme. INVI introduced Higer buses to the Indonesian market, while SAG introduced Golden Dragon buses, reflecting the growing presence of Chinese bus brands across the region.
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One of the key electric vehicle displays came from Laksana, which presented a new electric coach for Indonesian football club Persija Jakarta. The Legacy SR3 Neo Panorama, built on a Hyundai Elec City chassis, is set to become the club’s first fully electric official team bus.
Busworld Southeast Asia also provided a platform for new exhibitors. Indonesian bodybuilder Trijaya Union used the show as an international launch platform, presenting the Neo Grantour, Triun MX and the premium microbus Triun CX. Piala Mas also made its debut, drawing attention with its latest Rexus generation.
Beyond the exhibition floor, the event included a conference program featuring more than 40 speakers from across industry, government and transport organisations. Topics included electrification, digitalisation, safety, multimodal integration and the international ambitions of the ASEAN bus industry.
Speakers included representatives from the Indonesian Ministry of Transportation, TransJakarta, LTA Singapore, UITP, Frost & Sullivan and regional bus builders and operators.
TransJakarta was also a major reference point during the event. A delegation of Malaysian bus and coach operators, accompanied by APAD deputy director general of operations Masita Binti Mat Isa, visited the system alongside international trade media. With more than one million passengers per day, TransJakarta is increasingly viewed as a regional benchmark for bus rapid transit, modernisation and electrification.
Awards presented during Busworld Southeast Asia further reflected the Indonesian market’s focus on comfort, design and visual identity. PT Adiputro Wirasejati’s SDD Jetbus 5 won Bus of the Year, while the MHD Single Glass Jetbus 5 received Best Coach Design.
Piala Mas also stood out, with the All New Rexus 8D winning both the Most Favourite Bus and Most Eye-Catching Bus. Other awards recognised interior comfort, futuristic design, luxury coach design and electric bus styling.
Busworld international general manager Vincent Dewaele says the 2026 edition confirmed the event’s growing regional influence.
“You could feel the growth of Busworld Southeast Asia everywhere on the show floor,” Dewaele says.
“Exhibitors and visitors spontaneously told us this edition felt more international, more complete and more dynamic.”
Dewaele says Indonesia and Busworld are ready for the next stage of development.
“This edition confirmed the enormous potential of the region and the strong international interest in the Indonesian bus industry,” he says.
“Together with our partners, we have taken a crucial step forward, and we are determined to continue expanding the event’s international reach in the years ahead.”
The next Busworld Southeast Asia will take place in May 2028.
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