Bilbao Will Once Again Host the Second Edition of the International Railway Fair and Congress, Rail Live!

 

The organisation, Terrapinn Holdings Limited, which has the backing of Mafex – the Spanish Railways Association, is putting together an intense agenda of talks and round tables in which the latest trends in rail transport and the main challenges of the future will be addressed over two days. Digitisation or mobility as a service are just two of the topics that will be covered in the 300 planned addresses. More than 3,000 attendees from 80 countries and 150 exhibiting companies will make Bilbao the world centre of the sector.

Bilbao, January, 2019.- Bilbao will be the venue for the second consecutive year of the international fair and congress entitled “Rail Live!” running from March 6 to 7, 2019. This is one of the most pertinent professional platforms in the underground, light rail and commuter transport sector that will bring together experts from all over the world. In this edition, which will be held at the BEC (Bilbao Exhibition Center) once more, it is expected to surpass last year’s attendance figures. It is estimated that there will be 3,000 attendees from 80 countries, 300 speakers and 150 exhibiting companies.

In the words of Sean Willis, Terrapinn’s Managing Director “this year’s edition exceeded all our expectations in terms of industry attendance and participation. For the next one, our aim is to make it grow in all aspects ”

Presently, the organisation works in tandem with Mafex, on the drafting of a comprehensive agenda in order to address for two days the latest trends in rail transport. Amongst them, the challenges it faces in an environment of digital transformation, new ways of travelling, as well as the future needs of users.

Pedro Fortea, Managing Director of Mafex stresses the “commitment” of the Spanish railway industry with internationalisation as a way for its “competitive improvement” and highlights that this event returns to place it “in a sectorial showcase of great relevance” within the important pole of industrial reference that the Basque Country represents.

The main international speakers have already been confirmed to date include, Executives from the Korea Railway Corporation (Korea), California High Speed Rail Authority and RTA Chicago (United States); SNCF and RATP Group (France); SBB (Switzerland), Indian Railways (India), as well as NS Reizigers (Holland) and Rail Baltica (Latvia), as well as the participation of ETS, Euskotren, Adif and Renfe in the congress schedule.

Under the banner: “Technology, innovation and strategy for the entire railway supply chain”, the congress and the round tables of Rail Live! 2019 will become the fulcrum of international debate on the many advances and their impact on the connection of the cities of the 21st century. A forum in which the viewpoint of national and international railway managers and operators will be known, as well as the role of industry and how R&D contributes to the mobility model in cities and their surroundings.

The main topics on which this edition will focus are on metropolitan and light rail networks, smart infrastructures, the digital revolution, Internet of Things (IoT), telecommunications and control and the new concept of stations. These panels also include other key aspects such as MaaS (Mobility as a service), financing models or advances in ticketing processes. To the foregoing, the presentation of the “mega projects” that are currently carried out around the world cannot be overlooked.

In parallel, in the exhibition area, the exhibiting companies will present the latest developments that are incorporated into the market to respond to these new technological demands.

The event also has the presence of the main companies in the sector such as Grupo CAF, ArcelorMittal, Teltronic, Ingeteam, Amurrio, Danobat, Idom, Jez, Nem Solutions and Stadler Rail Valencia, amongst others. It is expected the participation of more than 150 companies, along with start-ups who will present their latest innovations that will revolutionise the sector of the future.

Rail Live! Boasts the backing of Mafex, the Spanish railway association, in the organisation of the event, alongside that of the Basque Government. The SPRI Group, ETS, Euskotren and Metro Bilbao collaborate in the event’s development. The exhibition also has the support of Adif and Renfe.

More details about the fair and congress, the speakers and the companies taking part can be found on the following website:
www.terrapinn.com/conference/rail-live/index.stm