Expanding cities, the impact of Covid, the climate crisis and a shortage of skilled workers mean that the rail industry is also facing challenges. In the InnoTrans Podcast Pedro Fortea, director general of the Spanish railway association MAFEX, explains what it means for this sector. In addition to global trends, the rail industry must also confront changing market conditions, technological developments and regulatory demands. To this can be added the coronavirus pandemic, a resultant decline in passenger numbers, and an industry that is unattractive to young people. According to Pedro Fortea, it is important to get people back onto public transport. What is more, the rail industry needs to communicate how important it is for society. In 2022 his focus is on InnoTrans, the leading trade fair for railway technology. The “mecca for railway professionals” is the event every railway professional wants to visit at least once in a lifetime.

In addition, InnoTrans director Kerstin Schulz will introduce the International Press Circle, an exclusive opening media event for press representatives from Germany and abroad, which will take place on the eve of the opening of the trade fair.