New challenges in urban transportation - UITP World Congress and Exhibition held in Milan

UITP World Congress and Exhibition, which was held in Milan between June 8 and 10, was a unique opportunity for all visitors to learn about all the novelties in the field of public transportation. Numerous companies unveiled new models of buses, trams, trains, subway trains that we`re going to see soon in operation all around the world, as well as new technologies to be applied to urban transportation.

As organizers said, this event attracted 284 exhibitors from 83 countries and about 15,000 visitors.

Innovative solutions from Alstom

French company Alstom presented two innovative solutions at UITP - Attractis (integrated tramway designed for fast growing cities) and SRS (innovative ground-based static charging system for both trams and electrical buses).

- Alstom`s strategy is guided by constant innovations towards development and provision of sustainable solutions at affordable prices with the aim of satisfying the needs of urban development. With new, innovative solutions unveiled at UITP, Alstom wants to boost cooperation with cities and help them overcome economic and environmental challenges they`re facing - Henri Poupart-Lafarge, the president of Alstom Transport Sector, said at a press conference.

Mr. Poupart-Lafarge pointed out that urbanization was a dominant trend all around the world. According to him, urban transport solutions in all markets must be simple to operate and meet challenges such as budgetary constraints, LCC (Life Cycle Cost), financing, localization, and partnerships.

- Alstom masters every stage of an urban rail transport integrated system, from design to complete validation and commissioning in its environment, and is a leader in the maintenance of the complete system. By continuously improving the environmental performance of its solutions, Alstom also strives to reinforce their attractiveness while reducing their life cost - said Henri Poupart-Lafarge.

Attractis, one of the solutions unveiled at UITP, is an integrated tramway designed for fast growing cities with high population density but not yet equipped with a tram system.

- Attractis integrates Alstom’s proven know-how and expertise and includes the manufacturing of the Alstom’s Citadis tramways, building the infrastructure and maintaining the entire tram system. In partnership with a civil works company, Alstom builds all the necessary infrastructure and ensures the testing and commissioning of the entire line working with the operator.

UITP visitors also had a chance to try driving a tram on a simulator at Alstom`s booth.

At the expo in Milan, Alstom also unveiled SRS, an innovative ground-based static charging system for both trams and electrical buses. During the exhibition, Alstom also announced the extension of the APS’s (ground-level power supplier) application to hybrid trucks.

The president of the Alstom Transport Sector also confirmed that General Electric would take over Alstom`s energy division for EUR 12.35 billion, while the French company should acquire GE signalling. Alstom will change the focus of its operations to transport. As we were told, the acquisition should be completed in September or by the year`s end at the latest.

Alstom`s projects and plans for Serbia will be presented at eKapija in the following period.

New Solaris may be available in Serbia too

Solaris, the Polish bus manufacturer, unveiled a new model at UITP in Milan.

- Every company that wants to be one of the leaders in the field of transportation must be present at this exhibition because it is a meeting place for operators, that is, those who manage public transportation sectors, buyers and competition, so that this expo serves as a good platform for the exchange of information. Also, companies will speak at conferences about their impression of certain markets and point to transport innovations we can expect in the following period - Mateusz Figaszewski, deputy PR manager at Solaris, told eKapija.

Solaris exhibited its Urbino bus at UITP. As our interlocutor explained, they unveiled two versions of new buses - a standard bus 12 meters long and an articulated vehicle 18 meters long.

- New buses are lighter than previous versions, they have more room for passengers and are easier to operate... In addition to these diesel buses 12 and 18 meters long, we will also be developing new models in the following period. We expect our entire product portfolio to get a new design by the end of 2016.

As Figaszewski told us, first buses are already ready for shipment, so that Urbino 18 should appear on the streets of Germany, Italy, Poland and Spain as early as in late July.

The previous model of Urbino transports citizens of Belgrade every day. We asked the representative of Solaris if he expected the new model to be shipped to our country as well.

- We`ve already met some representatives of Serbia. Further development of urban transportation is already in the pipeline in Serbia. We are ready to deliver new buses, but it all depends on the market. Reactions from Belgrade and Novi Sad are very positive, so we see many opportunities for further cooperation with cities in Serbia when it comes to the supply of buses.

Iveco too unveiled a new version of bus that is already in operation in France, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan...

- We are very proud to be able to present a CNG version of Urbanway vehicle. The new bus is available in three lengths and three versions - diesel, electric and CNG (compressed natural gas) - said Nicolas Tellier from Iveco.

As the organizers announced, the World Transport Exhibition is moving to Montreal in 2017, and The International Association of Public Transport (UITP) announces an even more ambitiously organized event in Canada.

Suzana Obradovic

The International Association of Public Transport Belgium

Alstom-Transport SA, Saint Quen, France

General Electric Company SAD

Iveco group Torino

Solaris Bus Poljska