Implementing the digital railway and delivering ERTMS in the UK

The organisation of Live Rail, a trade fair within which the "14th World Metro & Light Rail Bilbao 2018" now enters its final phase. Work is being undertaken on finalising the details of the programme of one of the standout international professional events devoted to underground, light rail and regional rail networks. Representatives from around 100 countries can find out more about the latest technological advances in the sector in the exhibition area. Furthermore, an extensive programme of simultaneous conferences has been prepared in which approximately 150 international speakers will give addresses.


For the first time, and after the recent events held in London, hosting will shift to Bilbao. It has the backing of Mafex, the Spanish railway association, in the organisation of the event, as well as 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.


In addition, the event will boast the attendance of standout companies in the sector, such as Grupo CAF, ArcelorMittal, Ingeteam, Indra, Siemens, Bombardier and Stadler, amongst others. The participation of 60 companies is forecast, along with start-ups presenting their most recent innovations that will revolutionise the sector of the future, Technology Centres such as IK4 Research Alliance and the presence of Mobility and Logistics Clusters, as well as the Fundigex Foundation.


Under the banner "Innovation, Technology, Action", the event will host for two days a broad debate on the present and future of global public transport. The organisation has put together an intense agenda that will begin on April 17th with prior working sessions between delegates and companies. The discussion forums will focus on key aspects for the future of public transport such as: sustainability strategies, advances in control systems, improvements in mobility and associated services, as well as evolution of the IoT, in the world of transport. For this reason, there will be presentations and case studies of relevant urban rail transport entities such as Transport for London, entity in charge of public transport in the city of London, Metro Los Angeles, Metrolinx of Canada, to name just a few examples.