Rail Solutions Asia 2022

2022 was the eleventh visit to Kuala Lumpur for Rail Solutions Asia and following a two year break due to the covid virus, we were delighted to be back in Malaysia. The total exhibition space was 77% of the pre-pandemic figure, while the figure for visitors was 81%. The exhibition was again supported by the German Railway Association and as a result Germany was the most represented country with 20 exhibitors. Malaysia provided 13 exhibitors and the return of a British Pavilion saw 10 exhibitors from the UK.

THE EXHIBITION

67 companies from 13 countries displayed products, ranging from Rail Fastening Systems and Under Floor Products, to Fire Proofed Railway Interiors and Train Weighing Systems. Exhibitor comments included: • I was impressed with the number and diversity of organisations represented. BCRRE • After 2 years of COVID we had more visitors than expected. Positive talks. RSA well organized as usual. Voestalpine • RSA helps us to continually grow our presence in the South East Asian Rail Market Delkor • Good show with all the right people attending Trakblaze • Congratulations on a magnificent exhibition. It was our first participation and certainly not the last! Cenzin • RSA consistently provides us with a platform to connect with our clients. Great show, with a great crowd Global View

VIPs

Senior representatives from the local Malaysian railway operators attended the opening ceremony. Prior to the Opening Ceremony the VIPs met with some of our key supporters (see pictures right and below)

Main Picture above L-R

(Pictured with show organisers Charmaine Louis & Norman Johnston) Tonny Yeap Project Director MyHSR Corp Datuk Mohd Zarif Hashim CEO MRT Corp Mohd Rani Hisham bin Samsudin CEO KTM Berhad Zuhair Bin Jamaludin Divisional Secretary Penang State Government YBhg. Dato’ Seri Farizan Bin Darus CEO Penang Infrastructure Corp

Austrian Embassy

During their subsequent tour of the exhibition the VIPs, visited many of the stands and showed a keen interest in the exhibits including:

Senior Managers from other Asian rail operators and authorities visited the exhibition stands, including:

Cenzin & Koltech

Voestalpine Railway Systems

CRRC Austrian Pavilion

Getzner

Delkor Linsinger

Vossloh

Penang State Government

Head of the Vietnam Railways delegation – Le Khang in conversation with Rail Systems Engineering. Hendrik Holz from Funkwerk is visited by delegates from ERL – KLIA Ekspres. Ashkan Motaman demonstrates Trapeze’s products to Crestory Janeo from Manila LRMC.

More than 140 delegates attended the conference sessions and specialist workshops, which included topics ranging from “Life-Cycle Optimisation” to “Network Communications Solutions”. The conference again included Open Forum discussions, where AROA members raised topics for discussion by all of the delegates.

More than 140 delegates including 85 members of the Asian Railway Operators Assoc. (AROA) attended the conference. The AROA Open Forum is a popular section of the Workshops, as operators and suppliers debate issues and challenges in their jobs. Marcelo Blumenfeld chaired our first ever workshop on Education & Training, with papers from UniKL & Asian Rail Academy.

Mohamed Aslam, Head Human Capital at KTMB commented on staffing issues during the Training Workshop. This started a debate at the end of the session with the delegates from LRT Jakarta. The two rail operators continued their discussion in the coffee session, which followed the workshop.

NETWORKING & SOCIALISING

With conference coffee and lunch breaks held in the exhibition hall, delegates, exhibitors and general trade visitors have ample opportunities to network and relax in both formal and informal environments. Informal Drinks Receptions held at the end of both conference days in the exhibition hall are popular with all of the participants.

All smiles for the staff of Manila LRMC and LRTA, voestalpine Railway Systems and the show organisers.

The Asian Railway Operators Association

17th Annual Congress – Kuala Lumpur

AROA is a group of Asian urban and mainline railway operators and is designed to:

■ provide a forum for the exchange of ideas and information ■ promote awareness of new technologies ■ highlight, address and respond to the challenges facing rail-bound transportation in Asia. The AROA Annual Congress is the highlight of the AROA year. Senior Managers from railway operators across Asia converged on Kuala Lumpur for three days of unrivalled opportunity to develop their knowledge and understanding of the railway industry. The emphasis of the association is very much on the sharing of expertise and experience for the mutual benefit of all members. With conference papers and specialist workshops, plus many of the world’s top railway suppliers on show, this is an event not to be missed by any railway operator, who wishes to develop their staff’s knowledge and improve their service to the travelling public.

Delegations, which attended this year’s Congress included the following:

Sarawak Metro

LRT Jakarta Malaysia KTMB

Penang State Government Manila MMSP

Vietnam Railways

Comments from AROA members included:

It is a perfect forum where the operators exchange good practices and expertise, as well as the avenue where operators meet suppliers and learn more about the products being exhibited. Le Khang, Deputy Director, Vietnam Railways

It was interesting sharing maintenance strategies with not just other rail operators in the market, but also research experts who have vast knowledge of global trends in maintenance. Odinze I. Akponor, Rolling Stock Manager, Manila LRMC

RSA has provided a platform for railway operators to gather & exchange knowledge & good industry practices, which I value a lot. I have made great friends at the event. Woon Khai Jhin, Assistant Manager, SBS Transit

Profesionally made, and neatly organized. The event widened our view of railway operating problems that we, ASEAN countries, mutually share and try to overcome. Adiprabowo Wicaksono, Project Engineer for Viaduct, LRT Jakarta

We had a chance to compare our best practices with other Asian rail operators and learn from their experiences. Keep up the good work in organizing the best Railway Conference in Asia. Alexander A. Maglonzo, Training Consultant, Manila MMS

Membership includes access to all aspects of the Annual Congress including air flights and accommodation For full details of Membership Benefits, Annual Fees and an Application Form, please contact: info@tdhrail.com