Innotrans 2026: the trends that will benefit the regions tomorrow

As the leading international trade fair for the rail sector, InnoTrans offers an overview of the innovations that will shape tomorrow’s mobility. Aurélie Quéromès, Key Account Manager and Regional Sales Coordinator at MASTERIS, offers industrial solutions designed to the needs of French regions and public transport authorities. She identified three major trends, with one question: how could they benefit passengers and regions ?

🔷 Batteries, a promise for the regions: The development of on-board batteries opens up an interesting prospect. On some regional sections that are still not electrified, trains will be able to run on battery power, helping to decarbonise mobility. On lines that are already electrified, batteries will address a different challenge: in the event of a power outage, particularly during heatwaves, they will keep the air conditioning running and allow the train to reach the next station instead of being stranded mid-line. The TGV M, for example, is already equipped with them; extending this technology to other rolling stock, especially regional trains, would open up new possibilities.

🔷 Rolling stock that evolves throughout its life: “Rolling stock will often run for forty years, while on-board electronic systems evolve over shorter cycles,” notes Aurélie Quéromès. New technologies will make it possible to upgrade trains and their services to meet the needs of regions and passengers. As a first step, passenger counting solutions could, for example, help transport authorities measure ridership on regional TER trains precisely and guide how services are adjusted.

🔷 Perceived quality at the heart of the experience: Beyond materials and design, attention to detail shapes the passenger experience. Several manufacturers have made significant progress: reworked trim panels for a high-quality finish and more space; softer, adjustable indirect lighting; luggage areas redesigned for today’s travel habits (security, bicycles…). MASTERIS will draw on these developments in its interior modernisation and refurbishment projects.

Maintenance, air conditioning, refurbishment, decarbonisation: MASTERIS harnesses new technologies to support operators and regions throughout the life cycle of their trains, in France and internationally.