Kuala Lumpur, October 2026 – Transport Expo Asia (TXA) 2026 concluded on 22 October at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (MITEC) in Kuala Lumpur, following three days of exhibitions, forums, agreement exchanges and the inaugural TXA Awards gala. Hosted by Malaysia’s Ministry of Transport under the theme “Future on the Move: Accelerating Next-Gen Transport”, the expo brought together 410 participating companies from 23 countries. The wider programme began on 19 October, ahead of the main exhibition, with IATA workshops and the opening day of the Road Safety Congress.
Minister Officiates TXA 2026
Transport Minister Anthony Loke officially opened TXA 2026 in the presence of Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar, Deputy Transport Minister Datuk Hasbi Habibollah and Transport Ministry Secretary-General Datuk Seri Jana Santhiran Muniayan. In his opening address, Loke outlined his ambition for TXA to become a permanent biennial event, with the next edition planned for 2028.
Loke also connected the exhibition to Malaysia’s wider industrial ambitions, stressing that public spending on transport infrastructure and maintenance should create opportunities for Malaysian businesses throughout the supply chain. He encouraged manufacturers and suppliers to use TXA to establish local partnerships, helping translate infrastructure investment into domestic manufacturing, component supply and maintenance capabilities. While no economic target had been set for this first large-scale edition, he said several agreements were expected during the three-day event.
Rail developments featured prominently in the announcements. Speaking to reporters, Loke said Malaysia Rail Link (MRL) was targeting 12 December 2026 for the start of East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) services, with a 30% discount on economy-class fares during the first month. The introductory promotion would apply to passengers who do not qualify for existing concessionary fares. Freight services between Gombak and Kota Bharu were expected to begin alongside passenger operations, while Cabinet had approved a proposed 32-kilometre extension from Kota Bharu to Rantau Panjang on the Malaysia–Thailand border. Separately, fares for the Johor Bahru–Singapore Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link were expected to be announced by the end of the year, ahead of its targeted opening in February 2027.
A key outcome was the exchange of 17 memoranda of understanding and agreements on 21 October, witnessed by Loke, supporting the objectives of the National Transport Policy 2030. Thirteen involved the rail sector, while four covered road and maritime activities. Among the collaborations, Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad (KTMB) partnered with Japan’s Keio Juuki Seibi on rail asset maintenance, while MRTS Sdn Bhd and Tenaga Nasional Berhad agreed to cooperate on solar energy, electric vehicle charging and RTS Link infrastructure maintenance. Railway Assets Corporation (RAC) partnered with JLG Investment Holdings on a proposed development at Arena Larkin, while Railway Assets Holdings and Perlis Inland Port explored investment and collaboration opportunities. Malaysia Rail Development Corporation (MRDC) also established collaborations with Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia and the Global Sustainable Transport Innovation and Knowledge Centre, covering education, research, innovation and workforce development.
The final day welcomed the public to explore the technologies on display. Electric vehicles, a crash demonstration display and outdoor demonstrations of driver-assistance and emergency-braking systems for cars and motorcycles brought transport safety into practical focus. Zelos and Neolix showcased autonomous delivery solutions, while the ALS RoboVan was introduced at the expo. Elsewhere, exhibitors presented drone management systems, aircraft maintenance solutions and driving simulators designed to improve road safety. As the official vehicle partner, BYD Sime Darby Motors supplied nine electric vehicles, with eight used to transport VIP guests between KLIA, their hotel in Kuala Lumpur and MITEC.
That evening, the inaugural TXA Awards gala dinner at the Hyatt Regency Kuala Lumpur at Midtown recognised nine winners across the transport sector. Twenty-eight finalists had been shortlisted from a field of more than 5,000 industry players. In his remarks, Loke described the awards as a platform to recognise organisations and individuals raising standards, advancing innovation and strengthening industry performance. Accepting the Engineering Excellence in Transport award on behalf of MRL, chief executive Dato’ Sri Darwis Abdul Razak highlighted the complexity of delivering the ECRL and credited the team behind the project as it approached its targeted December opening.
TXA 2026 demonstrated the value of bringing government agencies, operators, manufacturers and technology providers together around a shared transport agenda. Rail accounted for 13 of the 17 agreements, while four of the nine awards went to rail organisations, reflecting the sector’s role in Malaysia’s transport development. Across the programme, a consistent priority emerged: strengthening local capabilities in manufacturing, maintenance, research and workforce development. Alongside electric vehicles, autonomous delivery systems and renewable-energy partnerships, these collaborations pointed towards a transport industry focused on cleaner operations, stronger domestic expertise and closer cooperation. The next measure of success will be how these commitments translate into projects, services and opportunities before TXA returns in 2028.
