INTERMODES 2009, the first international conference relating to passenger transport intermodality, was held on 45 February, 2009 in Brussels. Opened by Mr Etienne Shouppe (Belgian Secretary of State for Mobility) and Mr Pascal Smet (Minister of Transport and Public Works, Brussels-Capital region), this first edition tackled the means to perfect shared and public transport and encourage people to use them.

During two days, 50 experts from various sectors (transport, telecommunication, energy, finance, public works, engineering and research) presented their work and achievement in the intermodality field. Different themes were discussed:

– Standardization of infrastructures and equipments,
– Financing solutions,
– Accessibility of hubs (stations, airports, parking areas) and modes of transport
(for families, seniors, disabled people),
– Separate routing of baggage,
– Electronic ticketing,
– Real time information,
– European signage,
– Human support to the traveller.

Mikaël Lannoy, UIC Stations Project Manager, attended the round table “How to make the most of the transport supply” focusing on the interchanges. The railway transportation is the heart of all interchanges: on the one hand with the stations, on the other hand in the travel chain.

Moreover the railway undertakings are involved in the integration of new means of transport (car sharing, self-service for car and bike…) but also in the passenger information, the electronic ticketing (with mobile phone or small card) and their interoperability.

It emerged that railway stations have to play a leading role considering that many modes (car, bus, coach, tram, train, bike, taxi, plane…) connect at the stations.

Consequently Stations Managers, local authorities, transport operators... need to organize together practical and pleasant interchanges to encourage the 493 millions Europeans travelling by public transportation and notably the train.