InnoTrans 2008: Increased Mobility By Rail and Bus

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Mobility that is both environmentally friendly and suitable for meeting future needs forms one of the main themes of InnoTrans 2008. It features in all the various display areas of the International Trade Fair for Transport Technology, and especially in the section devoted to Public Transport. There are some 260 exhibitors in this section, with products and services that are need-based and offer ecological benefits too. A higher proportion of exhibitors will be coming from abroad this year, and they now account for some 50 per cent of the total.

Increasing attention has been given to the subject of Public Transport in recent years, along with qualitative improvements, and as a result it now constitutes an important, separate section at InnoTrans. Compared with other specialised events the Public Transport section at InnoTrans is a world leader in its field. Covering an overall display area of 14,000 square metres, it is even larger than at the event two years ago. In addition to Halls 2.1 and 4.1, Hall 6.1 will also be used by exhibitors in the Public Transport section for the first time at the end of September.

The expanded range of products and services now includes stationary installations, passenger information systems, fare management, information technologies, traffic management, communication, data processing, planning, consulting and engineering services, transport companies and much more besides. This year's display will be augmented for the first time by a presentation of buses for use on local and regional services. New buses can be seen, for example, on an open air site between Halls 2.1 and 4.1.

The 260 exhibitors in this section will include ACS Solutions from Switzerland, AEG Gesellschaft für moderne Informationssysteme mbH (AEG MIS), Cactus Automation AB (Sweden), Cisco Systems (USA), Funkwerk AG, IVU Traffic Technologies, Qnamic AG (Switzerland), Scheidt & Bachmann and Swiss Railways. Among the companies representing buses are Carrosserie Hess (Switzerland) and Solaris Bus & Coach (Poland).

Philippe Gauderon, Director of Passenger Transport Operations, Swiss Railways (SBB): "We are delighted to be exhibiting at InnoTrans 2008 and to be able to present the extensive expertise of SBB in all aspects of rolling stock and railway technology to interested third parties. The SBB stand provides an opportunity to take a close look at selected products such as our on-board information and communication system and details about our services such as overhaul, refitting, vehicle acquisition and the use of climate chambers. We are proud to be presenting our updated 'Domino' regional transport concept to a wider public."

Martin Müller-Elschner, Member of the Board of IVU Traffic Technologies AG with responsibility for the Public Transport sector: "Participation in InnoTrans is absolutely essential for us. As the leading trade fair for public passenger transport it has now become a major worldwide attraction for representatives of transport companies and for organisations involved in the placing of orders. This makes it an excellent forum for meeting customers and for convincing new customers about the advantages of our IT systems, as well as for discussions about further developments and new trends.

Referring to its presentation at InnoTrans, the management of the systems and software specialist AEG Gesellschaft für moderne Informationssysteme states: "AEG MIS is synonymous with competence in the areas of software, display systems and services in the railway and public transport sections of the market. Our exhibits at InnoTrans 2008 will include the latest control systems for automated announcement equipment together with the relevant display units. One of our main concerns is to provide an 'ecological' type of display system involving very low energy display units capable of operating under all kinds of external conditions."

Krzysztof Olszewski, Chairman of the Board of Solaris Bus & Coach S.A.: "We are proud to have an opportunity for the first time at InnoTrans 2008 of presenting to an international audience with a series of trams that we are currently developing. Our trams will soon be helping to promote sustainable local transport in European cities and, together with our hybrid bus that is also on show in Berlin, will help to ensure the quality of life for future generations. We welcome the stimulating atmosphere provided by InnoTrans as the leading trade fair for mobility."

Dirk Pfeiffer, CEO of Qnamic AG of Switzerland, a specialist in intelligent resource management: "We exhibited for the first time at InnoTrans in 2004 on a stand measuring only a few square metres. Reflecting the company's growth, in 2006 we decided to use a professionally designed stand covering 100 square metres, because we recognised that InnoTrans is the most important forum for addressing experts in the transport market. This year our 160 square metre stand will also feature refreshments and relaxation, something that has never been provided before in such a form by a supplier of planning software!"

Jason Cowell, Industry Marketing Manager, Cisco Systems (USA): "Cisco Systems Inc. is proud to be attending InnoTrans for the first time in 2008. We will be exhibiting our advanced technology for the railway industry, including solutions on the subject of connectivity for trains and communication along rail routes and with stations. We will also be presenting details about our partnerships with such market leaders as Appear Networks, Nomad and others. Cisco is committed to providing efficient, easy to use and environmentally acceptable solutions that enable the rail industry to deal with the economic challenges currently facing it."

InnoTrans 2008 will be taking place from 23 to 26 September on the Berlin Exhibition Grounds. Already more than 1,800 exhibitors have registered to attend, which is far higher than the 2006 figure. The display area in the halls and on the open air grounds currently amounts to some 150, 000 square metres. This is around 50 per cent more than at InnoTrans 2006.

The rail track area is being increased and by the time the trade show starts it will extend to around 3,000 running metres. All these developments are enabling InnoTrans to further consolidate its position as the world's leading business platform for the industry. Some 70,000 trade visitors from more than 100 countries are also expected.

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