Passenger Railway Stations
Whether for short or long distances, for regional, mass transit or high-speed travel, the transport of passengers by rail has a bright outlook. Among all the factors needed for the development of rail passenger transport (technology, marketing, ticketing, financing, etc.), the common point for rail companies, customers and society is railway stations.
Station Managers Global Group (SMGG)
Chair: Fabrice Morenon, SNCF
Vice-Chair: Paul Van Doninck, Jernhusen
The Station Managers Global Group aims to facilitate the exchange of best practices between actors and experts from around the world, to organise events, to launch studies and to standardise interoperability subjects. It is an incubator for new projects relating to stations.
Through the SMGG, UIC and its members are working to broaden the scope of railway station activities in order to offer greater added value for customers and cities.
To raise the awareness of station profitability, both in terms of experience and management, SMGG members took the decision to restructure the entire sector by creating Plenary sessions, a Steering Committee and four new technical working groups. This new sector structure will help members in their daily life, as well as enhance collaboration with other UIC Passenger Department sectors, such as the PASSAGE Group (for PRM issues), Intercity and High-Speed Committee (ICHSC), Commuter and Regional Train Services (CRTS) and the UIC Fundamental Values Department – Sustainability Unit and the UIC Rolling Stock Department – Infrastructure Sector.
This collaboration will establish very strong and positive future outcomes which will help members during their transition phase from simple train stations to sustainable and digitalised assets.
Strategic Axes and Objectives
The strategic vision is defined during the Plenary Session of the Station Managers Global Group (SMGG) and further strengthened through the technical expertise of dedicated working groups, focusing on:
- Station and Urban Design
- Facility Management and Operations
- Retail and Commercial Affairs
- Small Stations
- Data and GIS for Stations
Key Objectives:
- Promote railway stations as essential urban and intermodal hubs
- Position stations as green and sustainable infrastructures
- Foster the adoption of new technologies
- Enhance operational efficiency
- Boost revenue streams
- Establish economically sustainable station models
Key Tools and Actions:
- Participation in various events to increase the visibility of railway station-related issues
- Organisation of UIC SMGG Days to engage diverse stakeholders in discussions on station development
- Strengthening cooperation with key industry players and valuable stakeholders
- Conducting benchmarks and surveys to facilitate the exchange of best practices among members
- Publishing reports and articles focused on critical aspects of station management
This structured approach ensures that SMGG remains a driving force for innovation, collaboration, and excellence in railway station management worldwide.
Station and Urban Design Working Group
Chair: Christophe Chevalier, AREP
Vice-Chair: David Hughes, Irish Rail
This working group provides a dynamic platform for station managers, architects, urban planners, designers, and other experts to exchange knowledge, share best practices, and collaborate on innovative projects. The group’s core mission centres on fostering sustainable design, green infrastructure, and transit-oriented development (TOD) to position railway stations as key components of future urban landscapes.
A holistic approach to sustainability guides the group’s work, encouraging energy-efficient building design, renewable energy integration, and eco-conscious material choices. Furthermore, transit-oriented development strategies prioritize the role of stations as multimodal, walkable hubs that enhance urban connectivity and promote environmentally friendly travel. The group also explores inclusive design strategies, seamless navigation, vertical mobility solutions, and thoughtful space planning to improve passenger comfort and safety.
By championing innovation and sustainability, this working group seeks to redefine the role of railway stations as green, efficient, and community-centric spaces that contribute to developing smarter, more livable cities.
Facility Management and Operation Working Group
Chair: Stéphane Bolduc, VIA Rail Canada
Vice-Chair: David Handera, Amtrak
This working group was established to provide a dynamic platform for station managers to communicate, share concrete best practices, seek solutions to operational challenges, and collaborate on joint projects.
The group also prioritises improving passenger experiences by sharing operational strategies for critical areas such as managing vertical mobility systems, outsourcing services, and maintaining secure, user-friendly environments. Creating a safe and welcoming atmosphere is essential due to the high level of social interaction that occurs within station spaces.
By facilitating the exchange of actionable insights and practical solutions, the group aims to strengthen station management worldwide, ensuring operational efficiency throughout all seasons and during specific events..
Retail and Commercial Affairs Working Group
Chair: Carlos Garcia Casado, ADIF
Vice-Chair: Roberta Di Martino, RFI
This working group is dedicated to leasing managers, strategists, and other experts focused on transforming the retail and commercial landscape of railway stations. With an emphasis on driving revenue growth and creating sustainable business models, the group is committed to reimagining station spaces as dynamic hubs that blend essential rail services with innovative non-rail offerings.
The group’s efforts are centred on enhancing the customer experience, ensuring stations serve as both functional transportation centres and vibrant commercial destinations. Experts are exploring new ways to diversify station services, including the development of unique retail concepts, and expanding tenant profiles to attract a broader range of businesses.
By focusing on innovation and customer-centric strategies, the group seeks to establish long-term sustainable revenue streams and position railway stations as integral parts of the urban fabric.
Small Stations Working Group
Chair: Alex Bém, SZCZ
Vice-Chair: Open position
This working group is dedicated to a diverse range of experts focused on addressing the unique challenges faced by small railway stations. The group has close connections to other working groups, promoting collaboration across disciplines and different topics.
Understanding the complexities of small stations is essential, as they play a crucial role in railway operations despite typically lower passenger volumes. While keeping small stations open poses challenges for infrastructure managers, these stations are socially and economically vital for smaller communities.
The goal of this working group is to find a balance that fosters resilience across stations of all sizes. Small stations, with their shared priorities—such as passenger experience, asset management, cost efficiency, and building life cycles—offer an excellent platform for testing new initiatives and strategies. The group sees small stations as valuable laboratories for piloting projects that can be scaled up to larger stations, thus generating valuable insights and experiences that can be applied to broader railway networks.
By building sustainable business models for small stations, the group aims to enhance their operational efficiency and contribute to the vitality of smaller cities, ensuring that they remain integral to the broader transportation network.
Data and GIS for Stations Working Group
Chair: Luigi Contestabile, RFI
Vice-Chair: Open position
The Group is dedicated to experts specializing in data analysis and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) within the transport and urban planning sectors. Its primary objective is to foster meaningful discussions and facilitate the exchange of professional experiences related to transport systems, urban strategic analysis, and the management of station and railway data. By connecting specialists, the Group aims to promote best practices, advance innovative solutions, and support the development of data-driven strategies for more efficient and sustainable transport networks.
UIC contact
For any further information please contact: Maria Gusarova
UIC leaflets & IRS – International Railway Solutions
Leaflet 140 - Accessibility to stations in Europe
The purpose of the leaflet is to define a uniform framework governing the design of European stations to ensure consistency in the measures taken to facilitate access for the mobility-impaired. Participating establishments will form a station network facilitating the mobility of people in Europe and making train travel more attractive. These stations may be referred to as “accessible stations”, provided that they meet the accessibility criteria laid down in the leaflet.
Account should also be taken of those people for whom travel is difficult owing to their circumstances, such as individuals accompanied by young children or loaded down with shopping bags, parcels or luggage.
The leaflet addresses aspects affecting accessibility and the standards governing achievement thereof. It also defines the “accessible stations” concept.
The body of the leaflet comprises a compilation of sketches and diagrams setting out the standards to be met by equipment and facilities. These form the cornerstone of an accessible station and serve as a benchmark. The technical standards given in the leaflet are recommendations to complement rather than supersede national standards.
The application of fundamental standards should take on board the special requirements affecting railway operations to guarantee safety and order. It should also take on board the objectives pursued by carriers and passenger terminal managers as customer-driven service companies. It is important to draw the attention of carriers and passenger terminal managers to customer requirements in terms of cleanliness and safety.
IRS 10145 – Recommendations for the organisation of assistance services for persons with reduced mobility
This IRS describes the process of delivering assistance to persons with disabilities and persons with reduced mobility unless autonomous barrier-free access to train services is possible. It provides recommendations for assistance delivery and communication flows between the players involved.
The IRS describes best practices and the steps that members of UIC PASSAGE (Passenger Accessibility Solutions Support and Action Group of Experts) are taking to fulfil their obligations in respect of current legislation.
Since 2010, representatives from most of the main railway companies in Europe meet regularly to discuss accessibility issues and PRM policies in a working group. At the moment this group started its work there were many legal changes in Europe regarding PRM policies and an increasing social pressure on this subject. Moreover, it was made clear from the beginning that a good PRM policy would lead to an improvement of capacity in the railway, which would lead to an increase in the number of passengers and to a growth of positive awareness in terms of international cooperation.
This group is called PASSAGE, and during these years it has become the biggest reference in railway accessibility in Europe. Currently, there are 25 members, including two from North America and one from Morocco.
It integrates in full or in part the following UIC leaflets: UIC Leaflet 145 “Recommendations for the organisation of assistance services for persons with reduced mobility”
IRS 10180 – Classification of rail passenger stations
IRS 10180 provides a methodology for the classification of railway stations according to criteria developed by the UIC working group on stations: the SMGG (Station Managers Global Group).
IRS 10181 – User information in railway stations
Passengers should have access to useful information and details of their routes in stations. These elements constitute the information chain, which includes every means of communication in the station: wayfinding, timetable screens, sound broadcasting system, information kiosk, maps, internet, mobile phone, etc.
This leaflet is about wayfinding – what it is for, how it is installed and implemented, and all the elements it comprises. A structural component of the information and orientation chain, wayfinding is a core service offered to passengers. It reflects a station or network’s image and identity. This is why wayfinding should always be consistent and rigorous in its application.
The leaflet describes the principles of wayfinding systems and provides instructions on how to operationalise such systems in order to inform and direct passengers. These instructions should be applied in and around stations. They should also be applied where existing wayfinding systems need to be modified: changes to wayfinding layout, stations under construction, etc.
National rules and standards should be observed.
The leaflet does not concern the areas of responsibility covered by the Highway Code. For guidelines covering safety equipment, such as emergency exits, etc., the applicable legal regulations and norms should be observed.
Handbooks
WG1: Station and Urban Design
WG2: Facility Management and Operation
WG3: Retail and Commercial Affairs
WG4: Small Stations
The research also offers conclusions on the close interconnection between resource use and the newly implemented concept of the “smart station”, underlining the links between the digitalisation process, environmental issues and enhancement of resource use efficiency in rail stations and terminal operations. In particular, the study underlines the importance of system solutions for resource savings for various rail operations (client-focussed operation of stations and the transportation process, the necessity to develop complex plans for resource management in stations, etc.). The report also offers information on tools for conducting resource-focussed surveys in railway stations.