The International Association of Public Transport (UITP) has just announced that the theme of its next World Congress and Exhibition
The International Association of Public Transport (UITP) has just announced that the theme of its next World Congress and Exhibition will be Public transport: Making the right mobility choices.
In the current context of climate change, congestion, traffic paralysis, air quality concerns and the energy debate, it is beyond doubt that all cities need a good public transport network.
In recent years, the big question for city planners has therefore shifted from whether to invest in public transport, to which public transport mode is most appropriate.
This is a very complex investment choice. In some cases infrastructure and equipment must be installed from scratch; in others decisions must be taken to renew, extend, change or complement the existing range of mobility services.
“Making the right choice of transport system for a city has never been more vital or more complex. There is no ‘one size fits all’ strategy or decision-making process. What our Congress will do however is to help stakeholders make informed and appropriate mobility choices,” states UITP Secretary General, Hans Rat.
In order to keep on the pulse with the latest trends and developments in the sector, the Congress will also examine other topical issues such as how the public transport sector can compete with the car, zero emissions, IT and innovation, and how to make public transport the preferred mobility choice of the young.
UITP’s World Congress will be held from June 7 to 11, 2009 in Vienna, a city that offers an extensive multimodal public transport system and where over a third of all trips are taken by public transport.
The Mobility and City Transport Exhibition,, held in parallel to the Congress, will present the latest industrial innovations.
The participation of all major rail integrators and bus manufactures, leading component and technology firms, the service industry and other public transport players make this the leading global business place for urban and regional passenger transport.
The call for papers for the Congress has just been launched, and UITP invites contributions from all interested parties.
To respond to the call for papers, please visit http://www.uitp.org/events/2009/vienna-call/en/index.cfm.