The International Association of Public Transport (UITP) presents its deepest condolences to its colleagues of Minsk Metro and to the families of the victims and expresses its solidarity and support.

“The whole public transport family is currently gathered in Dubai for the 59th World Congress and Exhibition of UITP, of which Minsk Metro is a member.

Our thoughts are with the victims and bereaved and whilst loss of life is unacceptable, this kind of attack cannot be allowed to change our normal way of life.” said Thomas Kritzer, Deputy Head of Department Metro Operations, Wiener Linien and Chairman of UITP Security Commission.

The UITP Security Commission is a permanent working group set up in 2004 to respond to the growing challenges of security in public transport. It has been set up in this sense as a forum to exchange best practices of public transport security and produces publications and guidelines.

 “There is no ‘silver bullet’ to prevent security threats, but a lot can be done to mitigate the risks and impact of incidents. We must continue to provide an essential service such as public transport to keep our citizens and our economies moving whilst applying appropriate security measures.”

“At the same time, we must remember that public transport remains a safe and secure mode of transport, and in reality still the safest.”

“Security plays an important role in helping public transport to become the mode of choice for today’s citizens. Continuing efforts in security is therefore a prerequisite for UITP’s ambitions of doubling the public transport market share worldwide by 2025.”

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Notes to Editors

UITP (International Association of Public Transport) is the international network for public transport authorities and operators, policy decision-makers, scientific institutes and the public transport supply and service industry. It is a platform for worldwide cooperation, business development and the sharing of know-how between its 3,400 members from 92 countries.

UITP is the global advocate for public transport and sustainable mobility, and the promoter of innovations in the sector. For more information, visit www.uitp.org.