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From
the Secretary General's Desk |
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 Dear UITP members
In just one year our 58th World Congress and Mobility & City Transport Exhibition will welcome public transport and urban mobility professionals from the four corners of the world in Vienna.
We are already looking forward to seeing you there to debate about the latest trends and solutions in our sector. In the meantime I invite you to read the interview with Michael Lichtenegger, Chairperson of the Local Hosts’ Committee and the Congress Programme Working Group.
Elsewhere, UITP keeps working to connect the world of public transport and I am happy to announce the opening of a liaison office in Tehran, Iran.
In Eurasia last month we brought together stakeholders from the region in Volgograd, Russian Federation, to discuss corporate governance and reforming the urban transport system.
Also high on the agenda was our 9th Light Rail Conference which took place in Istanbul just a few days ago. I invite you to read our next issue for more about these major events and many more initiatives.
Regards
Hans Rat
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UITP opens a new liaison office in Tehran |
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From left to right: UITP Secretary General Hans Rat; Mohamed Mezghani, Head of UITP MENA Office; and Mohsen Hashemi, General Manager, Tehran Metro.
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ON 19 May, UITP further expanded its network worldwide by opening a new liaison office in Iran hosted by Tehran Urban and Suburban Railway Company (TUSRC).
With more than 70 million inhabitants and a heavy urbanisation rate of 66%, Iran has high potential and considerable needs for the development of large public transport systems. Seven cities have already started constructing metro and light rail networks and six others will join soon. BRT system has been implemented as well.
In Tehran, plans for the future are just as ambitious with an objective to have 45% of all trips made by public buses and metro by 2030 (compared to 23% in 2003).
UITP has been organising a number of activities in Iran since 2004 which clearly shows the potential for membership development, networking, business opportunities and knowledge exchange. The new liaison office will endeavour to reach these objectives by developing the relevant services for Iranian stakeholders and for all UITP members interested in the Iranian market.
The office will be linked to UITP’s MENA Office in Dubai and will be headed by Mohammad Montazeri, Deputy General Manager of TUSRC.
UITP thanks Mohsen Hashemi, General Manager of TUSRC, for his active and continuous involvement in UITP and his support for the establishment of the new office.
CONTACT: Mohamed Mezghani, mohamed.mezghani@uitp.org
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For the first time in decades more trips are made by bus, tram, metro and train than by car in Vienna.
Michael Lichtenegger, Chairperson of the Local Hosts' Committee, Chairperson of the Congress Programme Working Group, and Managing Director of Wiener Linien. Read more in ' Face to Face'
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We would like to remind you that since we re-launched our website as www.uitp.org last year, all UITP staff’s email addresses also changed as follows: firstname.lastname@uitp.org.
We kindly ask that you change your e-mail address books accordingly in order to ensure that we continue to receive your messages. |
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Public Transport Modes |
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Metro Assembly meets in Baku
NEW reports on outsourcing operation activities and the accessibility of rolling stock were presented at the Metro Assembly, hosted by Baku Metropoliten in Azerbaidjan in May.
The Assembly was also the occasion for a workshop on modernising ageing metro systems in the former Soviet Union, with a focus on asset renewal and overhaul in Saint Petersburg, Karkhov and Baku. Other topics of the Assembly included the renewal of line 3 in Madrid, the business review of Seoul Metro, as well as the extension of U2 and preparations for the European football championship, EURO 2008, in Vienna.
Following the meeting, the Metro Association elected Yuri Grishechkin as new President. UITP’s Metro Assembly paid a tribute to the outgoing President, Mr Dubchenko, who largely contributed to bring together UITP and metro stakeholders from the former USSR.
CONTACT: Laurent Dauby, laurent.dauby@uitp.org
Building a Sound Future for the Bus Business
THE HIGH-level group ‘Building a Sound Future for the Bus Business’ (HLG) was created by UITP as an independent working platform to discuss problems in the bus business and to orient work within the Association with all the concerned stakeholders, namely bus operators, leading bus suppliers and organising authorities.
Members of the group came together at the end of March in Florence, Italy, where they were presented the new UITP recommendation for a safety standard for the bus door. Other topics of discussion included the update of UITP’s Tender Structure document and the SORT working group.
The next meeting of the Tender Structure Working Group is planned for 26 June and UITP calls upon the active participation from organising authorities in particular.
The leasing of recent second-hand buses will be on the agenda of the next meeting of the HLG.
CONTACT: Arno Kerkhof, arno.kerkhof@uitp.org
Bus
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UITP Bus Committee met in Warsaw in May |
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CHAIRED by Ezio Castagna, the Bus Committee met in Warsaw, Poland, in May, at the
invitation of MZA Spoo. Jiri Subrt, DP Praha, was elected as second Vice-Chairman following the retirement of Vilmos Tölgyesi, BKV.
Each working group reported on their work: fuel consumption, SORT, priority at crossings, aggressions, quality time and the fuels and traction systems observatory. A German study on cost pointers for the introduction of new tramways and bus systems was also presented.
Members also heard about the progress of two new research projects, one dealing with buses, services and infrastructure: the European Bus System of the Future; the other - COST Action focusing on buses with a high level of service.
Following the meeting, members were invited to a podium discussion on mega capacity transport and clean fuels in view of the European football championship, to be held in Poland in 2012.
CONTACT: Arno Kerkhof, arno.kerkhof@uitp.org
Light Rail
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Members of the Light Rail Committee visited the depot and workshop of the T3 line in operation in Paris. |
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HOSTED by RATP, the Light Rail Committee met in Paris, France, in May to study the progress of the working groups on light rail transit (LRT) modernisation in Central and Eastern European Countries, LRT performance analysis, infrastructure, statistics, and LRT safety. Guest speakers presented the role of architecture in LRT design as well as the UrbanTrack project.
Participants also selected the winning projects for the 2008 Light Rail Awards, which were presented at the 9th Light Rail Conference this month.
The meeting was followed by a technical visit to the T3 line, depot and workshop, as well as the construction site of the T2 extension. The working group on innovation took the opportunity to visit the Translohr LRT system in operation in Clermont-Ferrand.
Since 2008 marks the 30th anniversary of the Light Rail Committee, former Chairmen were invited to join the Committee for a commemorative presentation and celebration dinner. On a festive note, RATP surprised Committee members with a night tour of Paris on vintage buses, to the delight of participants and onlookers!
CONTACT: Laurent Dauby, laurent.dauby@uitp.org
Waterborne transport
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The Waterborne Transport Committee met in Hamburg in May. |
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JENS Wrage, HADAG/ATG, one of the founding members of the Waterborne Transport Committee, hosted his final meeting in Hamburg, Germany, in May. This was also the first meeting under the chairmanship of Larry Jacobs, Bermuda Ministry of Transport.
The working programme of the Committee will focus on accessibility, sustainable development, waterfront planning integrations and system integration, and the development of a glossary of waterborne terms. The growing Committee enjoyed presentations on the Sustainable Development Charter as well as on UITP’s security activities.
The group visited ATG’s fuel cell boat currently under construction (see article in forthcoming PTI magazine) and experienced trips on various vessels, notably ATG’s solar passenger vessel, the ‘Alstersonne’.
CONTACT: Lindsey Barr, lindsey.barr@uitp.org
Last call for Vienna! Submit your paper for UITP’s World Congress 2009
UITP’s World Congress is the landmark event for the international public transport community. We have plans for a topical, exciting and varied programme for the next edition, to be held in Vienna in June 2009. But for this we need to hear your experiences on making the right choice of transport system for a city.
The clock is ticking… the call for papers will close in just a few weeks on 30 June. Don’t miss this opportunity make your voice heard on the world stage and to share your knowledge with your international peers. It is easy to submit your proposal – go to www.uitp.org/events/2009/vienna-call/en/ and click on ‘Call for papers on the focal theme’.
We look forward to hearing from you very soon!
CONTACT: Laurent Dauby, studies@uitp.org |
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Public Transport Themes |
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Information Technology and Innovation
THE INFORMATION Technology and Innovation Commission met in Oslo, Norway, in May. Jarl Eliassen of Trafikanten AS chaired and hosted this very well attended meeting.
Local contributions covered the fully automatic toll plazas of Oslo’s toll-ring, the impact of real time information on the operation of buses and trams, and a presentation on ‘A common strategy for better public transport in Oslo and Akershus’.
A technical visit complemented a presentation on an efficient training programme for metro drivers which takes advantage of simulators. There was also a lively discussion on the use of multimedia in vehicles and stations. Besides the ongoing working topics of Interoperability Fare Management (IFM) and Travel Information Market (TIM), the Commission spoke in detail about its contribution to the next UITP World Congress and the IT-TRANS 2010 programme.
CONTACT: Johan van Ieperen, johan.van.ieperen@uitp.org
Marketing and IT & Innovation Study Tour to Japan
For the first time, the Marketing and Product Development Commission and the Information Technology and Innovation Commission will jointly organise a study tour to Tokyo, Japan, 25-28 November.
An exclusive programme will give you the chance to learn from JR East and Tokyo Metro about the interoperability of smartcard systems, travel information, fare systems, loyalty programmes, marketing strategies and customer relations management (CRM).
For more information, visit our website: www.uitp.org/studytourjapan
CONTACT: Agnès Peter, agnes.peter@uitp.org
Transport Economics
THE TRANSPORT Economics Commission met in Ghent, Belgium, in April, on invitation of De Lijn. Members examined recent or planned experiences of congestion and emission charging (notably in Milan and London) and they prepared lobby actions to influence accounting rules for public and private partnerships (PPP) at European and international level. Progress was made on an inventory of PPP as well as a Core Brief on land value capture. Work started on two new topics: opportunities and challenges of carbon trading for public transport and public transport demand forecasting.
CONTACT: Jérôme Pourbaix, jerome.pourbaix@uitp.org
Transport and Urban Life
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Members of the Transport and Urban Life Commission on board a historical tramway in Porto. |
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THE LOCAL bus operator of Porto, STCP, hosted the meeting of the Transport and Urban Life Commission in April. The Commission made progress in the preparation of a Focus Paper on the economic appraisal of transport projects. Members discussed innovative forms of partnerships between local players for the harmonious development of public transport. As part of the work on social inclusion, a programme of actions to include a reference to public transport in national social inclusion policies was presented. Furthermore, a report on the challenges faced by members and their long-term strategic priorities was outlined as a basis for the identification of new themes for the work programme of the Commission.
CONTACT: Jérôme Pourbaix, jerome.pourbaix@uitp.org
Car-sharing Platform
MEETING in Brussels, Belgium, at the end of April, members of the Car-sharing Platform discussed the future proposed extension of the Plaftorm. Other issues on the agenda were the contribution to Vienna World Congress, the EU Car-sharing Project ‘momo’, and opportunities for a partnership with the Organising Authorities Committee. This was also the occasion for Bundesverband Carsharing to officially sign up to UITP’s Sustainable Development Charter.
CONTACT: Caroline Cerfontaine, caroline.cerfontaine@uitp.org
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Projects, Training and Initiatives |
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Training programme for public transport managers
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Workshop on fare evasion in light rail systems lead by Joel Pitrel, CEO, Grenoble's public transport system. |
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THE THIRD and last module of UITP’s 6th Training Programme for Public Transport Managers took place in April at the kind invitation of Consorcio de Transportes de Madrid. The module dedicated to public transport modes and technological innovations included sessions on bus, light rail, metro and intermediate modes (BRT, guided systems), as well as on security, travel information and e-ticketing. With lectures, discussions and interactive workshops, the training was again an opportunity to learn, share experiences and broaden the participants’ network of international contacts. The final evaluation showed that these young talents developed new up-to-date knowledge and the skills necessary to improve their individual performance, which in turn will result in business benefits and improved outputs at company level.
Visit www.uitp.org/7training for full details and registration of the next edition.
CONTACT: Sarah Foulon, sarah.foulon@uitp.org
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Public Transport Sectors |
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Public Transport and Vehicle Equipment
THE MEETING of the Public Transport and Vehicle Equipment Committee was held in April in Pistoia, Italy, at the premises of AnsaldoBreda, the Italian equipper of rail-bound rolling stock.
Chaired by Rolf Hedberg, the meeting covered a wide variety of topics, from obsolescence management of electronic components to the design and commissioning of light rail vehicles; and from the ‘EU Bus System of the Future’ project to rail tender recommendations.
CONTACT: Arno Kerkhof, arno.kerkhof@uitp.org
Careers in public transport at an international level
It is now possible for companies dealing with public transport to place their vacancies on the UITP website.
By creating this internet platform, UITP hopes to facilitate the mobility of people looking to gain international experience in the public transport sector. This will also allow companies to find potential employees with knowledge and experience that they cannot find in their own country.
To be part for the emailing list and be regularly informed of the new vacancies, or to receive the conditions to place your own offers, please send an email to doriano.angotzi@uitp.org
See our current vacancies: www.uitp.org/careersinternational
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UITP Worldwide |
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Africa
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The 24 participants of the second training on public transport fundamentals organised by UATP. |
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A SECOND training session on public transport fundamentals was organised in April in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, by UATP, the African Division of UITP. The three-day training provided the 24 participants with basic knowledge to perform an efficient public transport activity from the authority and operator’s perspectives.
The sessions tackled the major stakes for the sector covering both general and technical issues. The participants particularly appreciated the presentation of numerous practical cases and the interaction with the trainers.
With two training sessions in Abidjan and one in Lagos, UATP keeps strengthening its capacity to provide a valuable training offer to its members.
CONTACT: Eric Kouakou, eric.kouakou@uitp.org
LATIN AMERICA
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Huge success for the workshops organised by the Latin American Division in April. |
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IN APRIL, UITP’s Latin American Division held a workshop on ‘Rules for contracts and tenders’ in Quito, Ecuador, hosted by Trole, Translatinos and Universidad Católica. Another workshop on the complementary issue of ‘Components for new transport systems’ took place in Lima, Perú, hosted by Municipalidad de Callao and Universidad Nacional de Ingeniería.
More than 340 participants from 10 countries attended the workshops, which were marked by a high-level debate about the real needs for public transport in Latin America.
The conclusions highlighted the need to establish a clear institutional framework and rules in contracts to guarantee the quality of operation. The importance of developing appropriate mobility policies which minimise the risk of conflicts between different cities in metropolitan regions was also stressed for new transport projects.
CONTACT: Eleonora Pazos, eleonora.pazos@uitp.org
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Obituary |
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 IT IS with great regret that we learned of the recent passing of former UITP President, Fritz Pampel, at the age of 86 years. Dr Pampel served three successful terms as UITP President between 1979 and 1985. He joined the Hamburger Hochbahn AG in 1953, actively developing public transport in Hamburg throughout his career. During his six years as UITP President, Dr Pampel further consolidated UITP’s connections with public transport undertakings around the world, and in particular in Latin America where the 45th UITP Congress was held.
Under his presidency UITP intensified its relations with developing countries. Dr Pampel also gave strong impetus to UITP’s work in the technical, economic and social fields. He contributed to the development of public transport with numerous reports and publications, including three UITP Congress reports.
Our sympathies go to his family, friends and former colleagues. |
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EU Policy |
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Recent reports
THE FOLLOWING EU policy monitoring reports are available in the ‘Members only’ section of the website, www.uitp.org/mos:
- No. 558 - Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) Preparation of an Action Plan for the deployment of ITS for more efficient, safer and cleaner transport
- No. 559 - Contracts and contractual relations between local authorities and local operators - new European regulations and their implementation schedule seminar (Warsaw, 4 April 2008)
- No. 560 - Draft Recommendation on the implementation of privacy, data protection and information security principles in applications supported by Radio Frequency Identification (RFID)
- No. 561 - Information about the wording on potential exclusion of urban, suburban and regional rail in the various rail legislation on safety, driver's certification and (new) interoperability
- No. 562 - Proposal on a European Directive on the Promotion of Clean and Energy Efficient Road Transport Vehicles, COM(2007)817 - Current developments
www.uitp.org/eupolicy
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New members |
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FULL MEMBERS
Association
London European Partnership for Transport, United Kingdom
Authority
Agenzia per la Mobilità Metropolitana, Italy
Gaziantep Büyükşehir Belediyesi, Turkey
Ministry of Transport (Damascus), SyrianArabRepublic
Operator
Metropoliten EAD, Bulgaria
RA Operatorul de Transport Local, Romania
Regia Autonoma de Transport, Brasov, Romania
Regia Autonoma de Transport, Craiova, Romania
Regia Autonoma de Transport Public Iasi, Romania
SC Braicar SA, Romania
SC ELTRANS, Romania
SC ETA SA, Romania
SC MULTI TRANS SA, Romania
SC PRESCOM SA, Romania
SC Publitrans 2000 SA, Romania
SC TRANS BUS SA, Romania
SC TRANS MIXT SA, Romania
SC TRANSLOC SA, Romania
SC Transport Local URBIS SA, Romania
SC TRANSPORT PUBLIC SA Bacau, Romania
SC TRANSPORT PUBLIC SA Focsani, Romania
SC TRANSPORT PUBLIC SA Tulcea, Romania
SC TRANSURB SA, Romania
SC TRANSURBAN SA, Romania
SC TurSib SA Sibiu, Romania
Societatea de Transport Public, Romania
Société tunisienne du réseau ferroviaire rapide, Tunisia
Industry and Services Providers
Algoé, France
DATA TRAFFIC S/A, Brazil
INDUTEC GmbH, Germany
Mosgortransniiproject - Moscow Transport R&D and Planning Institute, Russian Federation
NEMO Srl, Italy
Nippon Koei Co Ltd, Japan
PTV Asia Pacific, Australia
SC Urban Project Grup Srl, Romania
Taski SA, Ecuador
ACADEMIC AND ASSOCIATE MEMBERS
Contactless Technologies Users Board Italia, Italy
Dipartimento di Idraulica Trasporti e Strada, Italy
Technische Universität Hamburg-Harburg Institut für Verkehrsplanung und Logistik, Germany
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UITP Direct welcomes Michael Lichtenegger, Chairperson of the Local Hosts’ Committee, Chairperson of the Congress Programme Working Group, and Managing Director of Wiener Linien.
In one year, Vienna will host UITP’s 58th World Congress and Mobility & City Transport Exhibition. The city offers an extensive multimodal public transport system and is recognised for its forward-looking and successful mobility policy.
- Vienna’s public transport system has seen a continuous development for many years. Public transport’s market share of all trips increased from 29% in 1993 to 35% in 2007. For the first time in decades more trips are made by bus, tram, metro and train than by car. This has been achieved thanks to a highly integrated network, an integrated ticketing system, dense schedules, a growing modern metro network and proactive marketing that guarantees a consistent customer focus. The three cooperating partners in Vienna are very proud of this success story: Wiener Linien, Vienna’s public transport company; VOR, the regional public transport association; and ÖBB, the national railway company. And these three organisations have the honour to host UITP’s World Congress and Exhibition next year.
The congress’s theme is ‘Public transport: making the right mobility choices’. Can you tell us more about the programme?
- This theme gives us the chance to present, discuss and learn about the state of the art of public transport choices from a very broad range of perspectives: modes, techniques, management, marketing, financing, customers’ expectations, social and environmental issues, etc. The Congress Programme Working Group is currently developing the programme and we await your papers and ideas for sessions until 30 June. Be creative: present your success stories or the latest techniques! Good presentations are the basis of a successful congress.
Mr Lichtenegger, thank you very much.
Find more information on the Congress at www.uitp.org/vienna2009/congress and on the Exhibition at www.uitp.org/vienna2009/expo.cfm
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For the first time in decades in Vienna more trips are made by bus, tram, metro and train than by car. |
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PTI Editorial Council |
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The editorial council of Public Transport International magazine. |
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THE EDITORIAL Council of Public Transport International met in Tunis at the end of March to plan the issues of PTI up until the end of 2009. Readers of our magazine can look forward to learning more about EU affairs, sustainable development, light rail, social integration, corporate management and the Vienna Congress next year.
CONTACT: Sylvie Cappaert, sylvie.cappaert@uitp.org
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Appointments in Brussels |
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From left to right: Tony Dufays, Minna Melleri and Laurent Dauby. |
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WE HAVE the pleasure to inform you that Laurent Dauby, previously in charge of UITP’s three rail Divisions, has been appointed as Director of Knowledge and Membership Services. Laurent has been working at UITP for the past 12 years and he replaces André Niemegeers, who left the General Secretariat.
Minna Melleri has joined UITP to work on corporate development and to assist the Secretary General in strategy and policy orientation for the association.
Tony Dufays, with UITP for seven years, has taken over the general regional development, including the Main Office coordination of UITP’s regional offices.
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Hot off the press |
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 Standardisation of door safety systems
A new CD-rom on the Standardisation of door safety systems is available in English, French, German and Spanish. It contains the UITP recommendations written by the UITP Doors Project Group on the standardisation of Bus Doors and Ramps. The CD-rom can be ordered on our website here with a 50% discount for UITP members.
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