Mapping the Risk: Understanding Threats to Public Transport at Major Events
The UITP Security Committee launched its new webinar series on 14 October with an in-depth discussion on how public transport operators can prepare for major events.
Moderated by Carmela Canonico, UITP’s Security & Safety Senior Manager, the session Mapping the Risk: Understanding Threats to Public Transport at Major Events brought together three leading voices in the field: Michal Cieslik, Chief Security Officer at Wiener Linien and Chair of the UITP Security Committee; Cheris Lee, Chief of Operating and Metro at MTR Hong Kong; and Christopher Trucillo, Chief of the New Jersey Transit Police Department.
Participants explored why careful preparation, coordination and communication are essential to keeping passengers and staff safe when cities host large-scale gatherings.
Security, safety and operations: an unbreakable link
Michal Cieslik opened the session with a clear message: security, safety and operations are inseparable. Weakness in one area affects the others.
He outlined the wide range of potential threats during major events – from terrorism and sabotage to overcrowding, vandalism and cyber-attacks – and stressed the importance of risk assessment and early cooperation between operators, law enforcement and public authorities.
His presentation followed the key stages of event management – from preparation to post-event review – and underlined that planning must be continuous, not a one-off exercise.
The 2017 UEFA public viewing incident in Torino served as a vivid reminder of what can happen when coordination falls short.
Crowd management in action: lessons from Hong Kong
Sharing experience from the opening of the new Kai Tak Sports Park, Cheris Lee described how Hong Kong’s MTR approached one of its largest ever crowd-management operations.
Planning began a full year in advance and involved close cooperation between the police, transport operators, government departments and venue managers. More than 20 stress tests were carried out to simulate real-world conditions and fine-tune response strategies.
Public communication and passenger education were central to success. Wayfinding systems, real-time monitoring and smart technologies helped guide passengers smoothly, while new mobile displays and station improvements supported clear information flow.
The result: over 20 major events handled efficiently, with passengers dispersed safely and swiftly. The experience showed the value of rigorous testing, stakeholder engagement and continuous learning.
Cooperation across borders: a US perspective
Christopher Trucillo offered insights from the New Jersey Transit Police Department, drawing on decades of experience managing major events such as the 2014 Super Bowl and preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
He highlighted the need for early and ongoing collaboration between transport agencies and law enforcement at all levels – federal, state and local. Security planning, he said, must begin long before the first fan arrives, and transit operators must have a strong voice in decision-making to keep services running safely.
Through the department’s Office of Emergency Management, New Jersey Transit has trained thousands of staff and partners under a unified incident command structure. This approach ensures that everyone – from planners to police – works from the same playbook during both planned and unexpected events.
Looking ahead, the 2026 World Cup presents new challenges: language barriers, crowd surges, weather conditions and complex coordination with international organisers.
For Trucillo, the key will be trust, communication and preparedness.
A shared message: plan early, plan smart
Throughout the discussion, one theme came through clearly: security cannot be managed in isolation.
Preparedness depends on cooperation between operators, authorities and law enforcement, supported by strong public communication and well-trained staff.
As the speakers agreed, public transport security during major events is not just about reacting to threats – it’s about building resilience through planning, partnerships and constant learning.
