20 CEOs of the metros of the world attended the 3rd Metro Conference in Lausanne, along with 250 other delegates.

THE 3rd International Metro Conference took place in Lausanne, Switzerland, on 3-5 December, gathering over 250 metro specialists from 37 countries around the theme, ‘MetroCities: moving into the 3rd millennium: How new technologies shape our metros’.

The conference put a special focus on the automation of metro systems, which allows for increased levels of passenger comfort, more flexible supply, increased regularity and reliability, higher levels of security and a strong return on investment.

Going beyond the technical, presentations also broached the managerial, operational and economic aspects of innovation. One of the main conclusions was that technologies and innovation should remain mainly a means to improve service towards end users, always keeping the customer at the heart of any policies or decisions.

The effects of the current financial crisis on metro systems also featured prominently in the discussions. Speaking at the closing of the conference, Yves Ramette, Chair of UITP’s Metro Committee, stressed that investment in public transport infrastructure projects, in particular rail, can rapidly help to stimulate the ailing economy: “Public transport infrastructure projects are an excellent way of filling the order books of the railway, construction and civil works sectors – sectors that are major creators of employment.” He encouraged metro operators and authorities to seize the opportunity and make the case to their governments for enhanced investment in the revamping and expansion of metro systems.

Held on the occasion of the conference, the 85th Metro Assembly featured presentations by UITP and UNIFE on the main outcomes of the European project Modurban which deals with the technical harmonisation of metro subsystems.

CONTACT: Miryam Hernandez