Last year the International Union of Railways (UIC) appointed a new management team with the aim of extinguishing an internal conflict, and restructuring the organisation to better reflect its global role. UIC director general Jean-Pierre Loubinoux explains to Keith Barrow how the UIC is working to reinforce international cooperation.

Atos Origin’s acquisition earlier this year of Shere, Britain, expanded its presence in the rail IT services market. Kevin Smith spoke to Tony Lacy (pictured), general manager for transport at Atos Origin, about the company’s latest developments and where he sees the market heading in the next few years.

 

While deregulation of maintenance services might be more efficient and effective than in-house servicing, it should still preserve the high safety standards of railways, says Michael Walter, CEO of GHH-Valdunes.

 

Despite the failure of December’s United Nation’s COP15 climate change conference in Copenhagen to achieve a binding agreement, the Train to Copenhagen campaign organised to coincide with the summit was a success. UIC’s sustainable development coordinator Henning Schwarz and senior advisor for sustainable development Margrethe Sagevik talk to Kevin Smith about the UIC’s work to promote rail’s environmental credentials.

 

After a wave of expansion, Europe’s largest railfreight operator DB Schenker Rail is now in a process of consolidation and streamlining in the face of the economic crisis. CEO Dr Alexander Hedderich explains the strategy behind its continued ambitions for growth to IRJ regional editor Anitra Green.

 

Shrinking trade volumes due to the global economic crises led to an estimated 15% drop in railfreight traffic worldwide last year, taking traffic back to the level of 2005. But, says Maria Leenen, CEO of SCI Verkehr, Germany, the downturn has winners and losers.

The need to restore battered economies and substantially reduce carbon emissions will provide all countries with immense challenges in the decade ahead. International Association of Public Transport secretary general Hans Rat (pictured) explains to Keith Barrow why public transport offers hope on both fronts.

David Azema, French National Railways’ (SNCF) director of finance and strategy, talked to Keith Fender about SNCF’s plans to develop its freight business and high-speed services.

 

The International Union of Railways (UIC) is organising a series of events to demonstrate the role railways can play in reducing carbon emissions, ahead of this month’s crucial international climate conference in Copenhagen. Keith Barrow reports on how the Train to Copenhagen is fuelling debate on how to reduce transport emissions.

 

The world market for rail equipment will grow during the next four years despite the economic crisis says Maria Leenen (pictured), CEO of SCI Verkehr, Germany, in an exclusive interview with David Briginshaw.