Get Your Tech Into Real Fleets—Where Performance and Modularity Are The Buying Priorities

When speaking to passenger rail operators about the kinds of solution providers they want to meet—and what their investment priorities are for 2025 and 2026—the first reaction is usually: “We want to hear what’s actually working for other operators.”

But the deeper we go into the conversation, the more they admit the truth: meeting the right vendors and having the right kind of conversations is what makes a conference like this worthwhile.

So we asked operators from mainline, regional, and metro networks to prioritise the vendor categories they’re most focused on for the next 18–24 months. And if you work in this space, you’ll know what the broad categories are. But the difference now is what they’re looking for within them.

They’re not just asking for innovation—they’re asking:

• Is this modular?
• Can we fund this from OPEX rather than waiting on a multi-year CAPEX bid?
• Even if it’s CBM tech, will it plug into our legacy systems?
• Does it need a major IT overhaul, or can we start small and scale?

That’s where the opportunity lies.

Real operators are telling us they want practical, low-friction, reliability-focused solutions. Stuff that doesn’t need Finance to sign off every time. Stuff that just helps them do the job better—especially with ageing fleets where a smart, scalable tool can make a tangible difference.

If you’d asked me five years ago what the hottest vendor category was, I’d have said predictive maintenance. But in 2025, the energy has shifted.

What we’re hearing now?

It’s all about condition-based, data-backed, operationally deployable tools. They don’t have to be predictive. They just have to work—and work in real rail environments.

Show What Works—Not Just What’s New

Operators have been crystal clear: they don’t just want vendor sales pitches. They want access to real, proven case study data—and the freedom to scan new technologies side by side, on their own terms. Whether in an exhibition hall or demo zone, comparison is key. The emphasis is shifting from theory to real-world practicality.

If It Doesn’t Reduce Downtime, It Doesn’t Fly

Predictive tools sound great, but the pressing need is for solutions that reduce unplanned downtime right now. That means early fault detection across more fleets—not just pilots. From digital twin platforms to smart maintenance software, the focus is on fast, fleet-wide wins—not futuristic concepts.

Prove It Where It Matters—In the Depot

Operators want to know whether new tech can survive the realities of a live rail yard. They’re asking tough questions: Will it integrate with existing systems? Can frontline staff actually use it? And will it work reliably at depot level without endless consultancy support?

What’s Viable Now vs. What’s on the Radar

Condition-based monitoring is seeing traction because it works—and because it’s easier to integrate. Predictive tools still face skepticism unless they plug seamlessly into rail environments. That said, operators want to know what’s coming next. They're scanning the 18–24 month horizon, watching trials closely.