McKinsey at InnoTrans

September 22–25, 2026 | Berlin

Mobility is at an inflection point. Demand continues to rise, assets are aging, and rail systems are under increasing pressure to deliver more—reliably, efficiently, and at scale.

The question is no longer what is changing, but how to respond. Across the rail ecosystem, leaders are making critical decisions on where to invest, what capabilities to build, and how to translate ambition into performance.

At InnoTrans 2026, McKinsey will be on the ground in Berlin, convening industry leaders and sharing perspectives on the most critical topics shaping the future of rail—from global trade dynamics and infrastructure investment to next-generation rolling stock, mobility, and the role of AI in driving performance, resilience, and innovation.

What’s on the agenda?

Open to all: Speakers’ Corner

Wednesday, 23 September
10:00 AM - 11:00 AM | Hub27, Beta 1-2

Rewiring Mobility: Funding the Next Generation of Transport Networks

Transport and mobility infrastructure are entering a period of unprecedented investment demand—driven by decarbonization, resilience, digitalization, geopolitical realignment, and evolving mobility needs. McKinsey estimates that transportation and logistics alone will require ~$36 trillion in investment through 2040 as part of the broader $106 trillion global infrastructure opportunity.

At the same time, public funding alone is unlikely to be sufficient. Infrastructure and mobility leaders are increasingly confronting a dual challenge: how to unlock new pools of capital while also fundamentally improving the economics, productivity, and resilience of transport networks and mobility systems themselves.

This is where “rewiring” becomes critical. This session will explore how leaders across rail, transport, and mobility can move beyond isolated digital pilots and begin rewiring networks through AI, advanced analytics, automation, and new operating models. Participants will learn how digital transformation can improve asset performance, strengthen resilience, attract private capital, and help close the transport infrastructure funding gap.