OREANDA-NEWS. Vladimir Yakunin, who is both President of Russian Railways and the Chairman of the International Union of Railways, and Jean-Pierre Loubinoux, Director General of the International Union of Railways, jointly opened the IV International Conference “Next Station 2013.”

“Information cooperation and exchanging experience enables us to not just predict the future, but to create it - that, in my opinion, is the subtext of this conference's designation - “Next Station” - a concept of railway stations in the future, one to which we are striving in our work,” said Vladimir Yakunin in his welcoming speech to the conference delegates.

Railway stations, according to the President of Russian Railways, are today becoming large intermodal passenger transport hubs, centres of gravity and redistribution points for passenger traffic, places where people can socialise and passengers are able to get a lot of extras. The development of train-station infrastructure is one of the strategic objectives for the Russian Railways, says Vladimir Yakunin.

And nowadays, in his opinion, it is necessary that stations increase their efficiency in terms of the development of society and industry.

For his part, Jean-Pierre Loubinoux, Director General of the International Union of Railways, also noted the role of stations as social centers:

“Stations are gradually evolving and becoming places where anyone, and not necessarily just passengers, can enjoy good meals or snacks, as well as a variety of other daily services.”

The event was attended by the heads of railway companies in Europe, North and South America, Africa and Asia, experts in security and high tech and representatives from business, banking, architecture and culture.

The conference will consider all strategic issues involved in creating, developing and operating railway stations.

The event was organised by the Russian Railways jointly with the International Union of Railways.