Public transport operators to increase security

[EricLL]

Hello to all,

I heard this morning that the UITP (Union Internationale des Transports Publics) was to increase security levels in railways and other public transport networks. CCTV have to be installed in order to avoid new bombings like those of Madrid or London. A good Intelligence Service could help a lot to prevent terrorists attacks. Also, they talked about the fact that new rolling stock would permit a better overview of what's happening inside a vehicle and would also be built in order to reduce the dammage caused by an explosion. Services would have to be restored very quicklly after a bombing.

A last thing that could be worse for us, rail enthusiasts, is that Public transport would have to avoid as much as possible that people could get information in order to prepare an attack. What's behind this? A rail photography ban in great scale?

Times are changing but not for good in my point of view and there is a point where terrorrist could win : the loss of liberty in our countries.

What do you think about all this?

Usefull link : http://www.uitp.com/events/2005/london/

Cheers,

Eric

[juliannobleuk]

Hopefully, common sense will prevail and companies will use train enthusiasts as they should, i.e as an extra pair of eyes and people that know when something is amiss.

At present, most countries are still happy with enthusiast activities though there are exceptions. This list is from personal experience:

UK: Largely OK but some bigger stations there are still some problems with photographs. Best to let duty manager know your intentions.

France: Paris station security staff can be zealous but I have had no problems with a camera on trips to France. Be discrete.

Spain: Private security staff at stations can get very shirty and there are many stations that carry out security checks to access platforms with Valid tickets. Write to RENFE in Madrid for a photo permit. (sorry, don't have current address)

Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Belgium, Holland, Luxembourg, Czech and Slovak republics, Denmark: The friendly counties where enthusiast activity is very open and tolerated.

Italy, Hungary: Some hassles but mostly trouble free for enthusiasts. Like France be a little bit discrete about it!

Poland: I have not had problems but know some people have with security staff. Again same as France and Italy.

Slovenia, Croatia, Serbia: No problems in Slovenia and Croatia who are used to foreign enthusiasts. Be careful near border areas as relations in this part of the world still fraught. Serbia a bit touchy especially at Beograd, again, be discrete.