Security and Emergency Preparedness in Public Transport

28 - 30 October 2025

Lisbon, Portugal

Organisers

Global Safety and Security

Public transport networks are susceptible to a range of incidents, which can impact service and need to be prepared for and managed. From accidents to weather events to terrorist attacks, incidents can range from the relatively minor localised routine emergency to the full-scale crisis and everything in between. Planning and practicing response is sound practice to ensure business continuity and a resilient network. Training is essential for staff to have the skills necessary for the issues they face. And when something happens, a coordinated and well-managed response is essential.

The aim of this training programme is to provide participants with the necessary knowledge and tools:

To create or benchmark their emergency preparedness and response plans,
To understand the role and challenges of involved stakeholders and
To set up efficient cooperation schemes.

The programme includes case studies from experienced networks, as well as a table-top exercise in emergency response.

What You Will Learn

Learn to construct a comprehensive security concept
Build sound emergency preparedness & response plans
Learn the basics of crisis communication
Define training needs for relevant staff
Practice emergency response with a table-top exercise
Benchmark your practices and tools with your peers
Discover best practices from Asia and Europe

Who is it for?

Professionals with a role and interest in protection of and emergency preparedness in public transport
Police Officers
Security managers
Operations managers
Other public transport professionals engaged in emergency preparedness, security, safety, crisis management, risk managers from public transport operators and authorities
Experienced professionals as well as newcomers to the topic

This course is suitable for those who are fluent or have a high level in English.

Programme

Welcome and Opening Session

09:00 – 09:30

Session 1

Andrea SOEHNCHEN, Consultant – TRANSFORTIS, The Netherlands This session will set the scene for the training programme, explaining the basic terminology along with objectives and elements of security concepts that form the backbone of emergency preparedness and response plans. Participants will understand different types of security challenges and get an overview of good practices to tackle these challenges.

Public transport security objectives and elements of a security concept

Potential threats to public transport

Good practices

Break

11:00 – 11:30

Case Study

Ricardo ORTEGA, Head of Security, Metro Barcelona This case study will demonstrate a practical approach towards security challenges.

Lunch

12:30 – 13:30

Session 2

Andrea SOEHNCHEN, UITP Consultant, Germany Risk assessment is a fundamental preparatory step in securing a PT network. This module introduces a security risk assessment methodology specifically developed for public transport security. Moreover, it is fully compatible with a general risk management approach and in line with ISO 31000 series.

Introduction of methodology
Context analysis and calibration of risk assessment matrix
Relevant assets and safeguards
Risk assessment process and results

Session 3

Andrea SOEHNCHEN, UITP Consultant, Germany Based on scenarios and through a practical exercise, participants conduct a security risk assessment of a selection of PT assets and taking into account a variety of security threats. Participants will learn to:

Define the parameters of the RA matrix
Run an initial assessment round
Calibrate the RA matrix

Break

15:30 – 16:00

Case Study

António VALENTE, Safety and Security Director, Metropolitano de Lisboa The session will illustrate the efforts made by a major public transport operator to apply technology in their security concept.

Session 4

Andrea SOEHNCHEN, UITP Consultant, Germany The layout and structure, furniture and used materials in public transport systems have a major impact on security and security perception of passengers and staff. Aspects like space organisation, lighting and cleanliness are clearly important, but design also has an influence whether the public transport environment triggers less acceptable forms of behaviour, such as loitering. The session addresses:

Impact of design on security and security perception
Design guidelines for new infrastructure
Recommendations for re-building and retrofitting of existing structures, including low budget ‘quick fixes’

The protection of vehicles needs to consider preventing sabotage and theft as well as entering with dangerous items and substances. The session will look into:

Technology options to be used for vehicle protection
Staff and procedure aspects

Break

10:30 – 11:00

Session 5

Andrea SOEHNCHEN, UITP Consultant, Germany This session will delve into establishing and cultivating a robust security culture within public transport organisations. Participants will gain insight into:

Fostering a collective awareness of security issues
Understanding the significance of personnel security
Principles of information and cyber security

Security plans provide an overview of security requirements of public transport systems and their infrastructure and installations as well as the safeguards and procedures in place to protect them. This session will

provide guidance for the development of practical security plans for PT assets
engage participants in outlining a security plan for a metro station on site

Lunch

12:30 – 13:30

Session 6

Andrea SOEHNCHEN, UITP Consultant, Germany Security is often considered a cost factor only, buts surveys show that passengers consider feeling safe an important precondition to use public transport. As staff can combine security and customer service tasks, they are very efficient and contribute substantially to customer friendliness in public transport. The session focuses on:

Safe and secure operating environment
Balancing security and customer service
Insider threats
Vulnerability of public transport systems
Safe and secure operating environment
Balancing security and customer service

Break

15:00 – 15:30

Session 7

Large events represent special security challenges, also in public transport. While safety considerations require to balance the system capacity with the expected numbers and flows of passengers, there is also a need to be prepared for the psychological challenges of a diverse crowd incl. cultural differences, emotions and potential conflicts. The training will explain:

Objectives of crowd management and stakeholder involved
Cultural differences affecting passenger behaviour
Passenger routing and channelling inside the PT system
Passengers guiding and filtering around Pt stations

Session 8

Andrea SOEHNCHEN, UITP Consultant, Germany Prevention is key to avoiding security problems in PT systems, but when prevention fails- a clear plan needs to be in place to deal with any emergency or crisis. Response plans need to define roles and responsibilities during incidents and clarify procedures and protocols to be followed, also in coordination with external parties, such as emergency responders and law enforcement agencies.

Crisis typology
Crisis management organisation
Stakeholder roles and cooperation

Break

10:00 – 10:30

Session 9

When the Crisis Cell gets activated, time is of the essence. The team has to assemble, monitor the situation, understand the challenge, take decisions and protocol them. A clear understanding of everybody’s role and responsibility is key an efficient incident response. The session will present a set-up and moderation process for crisis cell meetings that is based on good practice and previous experience of PT organisations.

Session 10

The news about incidents is now spreading faster than ever. A speedy and well-prepared communication policy must be in place to avoid rumours, speculations and reputational damages of any company. Communication plans need to be prepared and rehearsed in advance, statements to be issued must be clear and reassure the press, public and staff that the problem is in experienced hands. The module focuses on the immediate reaction to incidents, the communication to press, public and staff. Participants learn how to provide information under pressure and with limited information available. It includes:

Reputational management
Communication strategies (role of staff, messages to be prepared)
Role-play, informing the press and answering questions

Wrap-up and Q&A

12:30 – 13:00

Lunch

13:00 – 14:00

Technical visit

14:00 – 17:00

A Top Level Methodology

Participate in interactive plenary sessions which includes an introduction and presentation from the course leaders and the trainer, followed by an open discussion with participants
Learn from skilful trainers
Share your knowledge and experience with other participants
Discuss real life examples and lessons learned from different models of organisation
Challenge your thinking on the way to organise public transport services

UITP Training Programs and all related processes are certified for ISO 21001: 2018 – the standard for Educational organisations – Management systems for educational organisations.

	Until 16 September Register now	From 16 September Register now
UITP Members	€1,375	€1,850
Non Members	€1,775	€2,450
UITP Member ‘developing nations’	€1,375	€950
Non Member ‘developing nations’	€1,700	€1,150

Trainers

Our skillful trainers are composed of international experts and professionals with extensive experience and knowledge in the safety, security and crisis management

Andrea SOENCHEN

Strategic Consultant

TransFortis, Netherlands, Netherlands

Antonio VALENTE

Director of Security and Surveillance

Metropolitano de Lisboa, Portugal

Jan POLITIEK

Chief Security Officer

Arriva Nederland, Netherlands

Edgar LAURENS-FONSECA

Security Strategy & Research Manager

RATP, France

Ricardo ORTEGA

Head of Security

Metro Barcelona, Spain

Practical information

When and where?

From 28 to 30 October 2025

Venue: to be confirmed

All sessions will start at 9:00 am

*UITP reserves the right to make amendments to the programme or any related activity at its discretion.

What material do I receive?

Course materials (presentations and workshop documents) are made available to the participants
Certificate of Attendance

How does it work?

A 3-days classroom course with presentations and case studies by trainers, discussions with the audience and workshops
Morning and afternoon sessions including coffee breaks and lunch break
The course will be conducted in English

What You Will Learn

Who is it for?

Programme

Welcome and Opening Session

Security concept, challenges, and responsibilities

Break

PTO Security Concept and Crisis Management

Lunch

Risk assessment methodology

Risk assessment workshop

Break

Security technology

Building and vehicle security

Break

Organisational security and security plan

Lunch

Security staff management and customer service

Break

Crowd Management in Large Events

Crisis Management and Response planning

Break

Managing a crisis cell meeting

Crisis Communication

Wrap-up and Q&A

Lunch

Technical visit

A Top Level Methodology

Pricing

Trainers

Andrea SOENCHEN

Antonio VALENTE

Jan POLITIEK

Edgar LAURENS-FONSECA

Ricardo ORTEGA

Practical information

When and where?

What material do I receive?

How does it work?

Register Now

Organisers