Busworld Southeast Asia, held from 20 to 22 May 2026, once again demonstrated why Jakarta – the world’s largest city by population – is emerging as a key meeting point for the ASEAN bus and coach industry. The fourth edition of the exhibition brought together 47 exhibitors from nine countries and welcomed 5,133 registered visitors from 41 countries. Spanning around 8,000 sq. m, the event featured 25 vehicles on display. The next edition is scheduled for May 2028.
The exhibition floor reflected the growing importance of passenger comfort and travel experience in the Southeast Asian bus market. Premium seating configurations, high-quality interiors and sleeper coaches attracted significant attention. In the long-distance segment, operators are increasingly offering multiple travel classes, with passengers able to choose between conventional seats and private sleeper cabins, similar to airline and railway services.
Although the Indonesian market is currently experiencing a more cautious phase, the overall atmosphere at the exhibition remained positive. Exhibitors reported busy stands, productive meetings and strong interest from across the industry. Beyond sales discussions, many companies also valued the event as an important sourcing platform for components, parts and technical solutions. Several exhibitors emphasised that Busworld Southeast Asia serves not only as a sales platform but also as a key sourcing event for the regional bus industry.
“You could feel the growth of Busworld Southeast Asia everywhere on the show floor. Exhibitors and visitors spontaneously told us this edition felt more international, more complete and more dynamic,” said Vincent Dewaele, General Manager of Busworld International. “Indonesia and Busworld are both ready for the next phase. This edition confirmed the enormous potential of the region and the strong international interest in the Indonesian bus industry. 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”, he added.
Indonesia Remains the Heart of the Regional Bus Industry
Indonesia continues to play a pivotal role in Southeast Asia’s bus industry. The country is home to one of the region’s largest bus markets and a well-established bodybuilder ecosystem. Unlike Europe, where buses are often supplied as complete vehicles, Indonesia largely follows a chassis-bodybuilder model, with local bodybuilders responsible for customised design, finishing and customer engagement.
This business model explains why international manufacturers are increasingly choosing to collaborate with local partners. Some of the biggest and most established domestic bus bodybuilders in Indonesia including the likes of PT Adiputro Wirasejati, PT Mekar Armada Jaya, and PT Tentrem Sejahtera made their presence felt with an impressive range of vehicles on display.
Electrification and new mobility solutions are also gradually gaining momentum in Indonesia. One of the highlights of the exhibition was the unveiling of Laksana’s new electric coach for football club Persija Jakarta. The Legacy SR3 Neo Panorama, built on a Hyundai Elec City chassis, will become the first fully electric official team bus for an Indonesian football club, illustrating how electrification is steadily expanding into premium and lifestyle-oriented transport segments.
INVI attracted attention with the introduction of Higer buses to the Indonesian market, while SAG showcased Golden Dragon buses. Both companies highlighted the growing presence of Chinese bus brands across the region.
Strong Debut for New Exhibitors
MAN Truck & Bus made its debut at the show with a clear focus on chassis solutions and partnerships with Indonesian bodybuilders. Together with its local partner, PT Millennium Inframach Distribusi Indonesia, the company highlighted the value of local market expertise and established customer relationships.
MAN and Inframach responded very positively to both their market entry into Indonesia and their first participation at Busworld Southeast Asia. The company reported constructive discussions with several bodybuilders and secured a repeat order during the exhibition, underlining the market’s potential.
Piala Mas also made its Busworld Southeast Asia debut. The Indonesian bodybuilder attracted considerable attention alongside the country’s established players and showcased its latest developments, including the new-generation Rexus.
Trijaya Union used Busworld Southeast Asia as an international launch platform. The Indonesian bodybuilder, established in 1978, showcased the Neo Grantour and Triun MX, alongside the new premium Triun CX microbus, targeting the growing tourism market.
Conference Programme Brought Together Regional Mobility Experts
Alongside the exhibition, Busworld Southeast Asia hosted an extensive conference programme featuring more than 40 industry experts. Discussions focused on the future of bus mobility in Southeast Asia, covering themes such as 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, as well as leading bus manufacturers and operators from across the region.
Special attention was given to Indonesia’s rapidly evolving bus market. Sessions on intercity and long-distance transport explored the growing demand for comfort, safety and premium travel concepts, while other panels examined electrification, charging infrastructure and the role of digitalisation in urban mobility.
The global positioning of Southeast Asian bodybuilders also featured prominently. Representatives from MAN, Laksana, Gemilang Coachwork and ASKARINDO discussed how local expertise and international collaboration can strengthen the region’s export competitiveness.
A delegation of Malaysian bus and coach operators attended the event, accompanied by Masita Binti Mat Isa, Deputy Director General of Operations at APAD, Malaysia’s land public transport agency. Together with members of the international trade media, they also visited TransJakarta, a partner of Busworld Southeast Asia and one of the world’s largest Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) systems. Serving more than one million passengers daily, TransJakarta plays a pivotal role in the modernisation and electrification of public transport in Jakarta and is increasingly regarded as a benchmark for Southeast Asia.
Awards Recognised Innovation and Design
Several awards were presented during Busworld Southeast Asia to recognise excellence in vehicle design, innovation and passenger comfort. Winners were selected through online and Instagram voting, reflecting the strong engagement of Indonesia’s bus industry and enthusiast community.
PT Adiputro Wirasejati reinforced its strong standing in the Indonesian coach market by winning multiple awards. The SDD Jetbus 5 was named “Bus of the Year”, while the MHD Single Glass Jetbus 5 received the “Best Coach Design” award.
Piala Mas also emerged as one of the standout exhibitors. Its All New Rexus 8D won both “The Most Favorite Bus” and “Most Eye-Catching Bus”, highlighting the continued importance of styling and visual appeal in the Indonesian market.
Other award winners included:
• “Most Interior Comfort Bus” – Semeru by PT Laksana Bus Manufaktur
• “Most Futuristic Bus” – MTrans DD 4M by PT Laksana Bus Manufaktur
• “Most Luxury Coach” – Surya Bali – Skylander R25 Vision Sleeper by PT Mekar Armada Jaya
• “Best E-Bus Design” – E-Velocity W1 by PT Tentrem Sejahtera
• “Most Favorite E-Bus” – MAX by Xiamen Golden Dragon Bus Co., Ltd.
The awards underscored the growing emphasis on passenger comfort, interior experience and distinctive design, particularly in the premium intercity and sleeper coach segments.
Next Edition in May 2028
With strong attendance, growing international participation and a clear affirmation of Indonesia’s position as a strategic bus market, Busworld Southeast Asia is already looking ahead to its next edition in May 2028.
