USA: International Urban Rail Platform for North America Established

Image courtesy of Network Rail

UITP, the international public transport association, has created the International Urban Rail Platform for North America, a body designed to convene key rail industry players from the region and the rest of the world. The group was established to share knowledge and the collective experience of UITPs 1,400 international members from 96 countries with North American rail industry stakeholders.

At a launch event which took place in Washington DC on 11 January 2016, priority topics were discussed ahead of the first official meeting which will take place in the Autumn of 2016. The project is endorsed by UITP member the American Public Transportation Association.

Andrew Bata, UITPs Regional Manager for North America said:

There is tremendous new recognition of the value that urban rail transportation brings to current societal needs. New rail starts and system expansions are redefining the urban landscape; ridership is booming and often well beyond projections. We are experiencing a true rail renaissance; a mode that offers a high quality, modern, truly green and efficient alternative to the automobile.