VIA Rail joins UIC members in marking international Rail Security Awareness Day
MONTRÉAL, June 8, 2017 /CNW Telbec/ - VIA Rail Canada (VIA Rail) is marking the first international "Rail Security Awareness Day", which is intended to increase awareness of security issues among railway staff and the general public.
At a multiday gathering in Paris this week, representatives of VIA Rail and other International Union of Railways (UIC) members and partners reviewed the final results of the Additional Security Program created in December 2015 following terrorist attacks in France. This meeting, which was part of International Rail Security Week, presented an opportunity to share findings in three main areas: interoperability and exchange of security-related information on international trains; training and communication; and crisis management.
Jean-Pierre Loubinoux, UIC Director General, said:
"It is important to develop a security policy which creates a feeling of security every day for our customers and staff, bolstering the attractiveness and efficiency of rail as a mode of transport. These sessions are an opportunity to stress that security is everybody's business, and that in addition to the professional skills of dedicated security staff, it is vital to draw on the contributions of other categories of workers. Passengers must also play a role in their own safety."
Yves Desjardins-Siciliano, President and Chief Executive Officer of VIA Rail, and Chairman of the UIC North American Region, declared:
"At VIA Rail, security is at the forefront of everything we do. We are responsible for the safety of our passengers, our employees and the general public in all of our operations. We suggest that they remain vigilant at all times and report anything suspicious because safety is everyone's business: If you see something, say something!"
This year marks the 3rd edition of International Rail Security Week, which was organized by UIC, an international association that brings together 230 railway companies from 95 countries on all five continents. The association is a key player in the global rail community.
About VIA Rail Canada
As Canada's national rail passenger service, VIA Rail (viarail.ca) and its 2,700 employees are mandated to provide safe, efficient and economical passenger transportation service, in both official languages of our country. VIA Rail operates intercity, regional and transcontinental trains linking over 400 communities across Canada, and safely transports nearly four million passengers annually. The Corporation was awarded seven Safety Awards by the Railway Association of Canada over the last eight years. For more information, visit: www.viarail.ca/en/about-via-rail.
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SOURCE VIA Rail Canada Inc.
Mylène Bélanger, Media Relations, VIA Rail Canada, 1 877 393-8787, [email protected]
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