A new international platform has launched to support the growth and modernisation of urban rail systems across Eurasia and the MENA (Middle East and North Africa) region. The Eurasia-MENA Urban Rail Platform (EMURP) will act as a central hub for collaboration, innovation, and best practice sharing among urban rail operators and authorities.
What is EMURP?
Jointly led by Metro Istanbul, EMURP will meet twice a year to align strategies, tackle technical challenges, and promote sustainable development in urban rail. The platform will focus on:
- Driverless and automated operations
- Predictive maintenance and asset management
- Cybersecurity, AI integration and digitalisation
- Service quality and operational efficiency
Working groups will be created to dive deeper into key topics, and the platform will collaborate with UITP’s global committees to ensure alignment.
EMURP launch highlights
The platform was officially launched in Riyadh during a meeting hosted by the Transport General Authority of Saudi Arabia, with a technical visit to the Riyadh Metro’s KAFD station.
Opening speeches were delivered by:
- Bader Alhujailan, Transport General Authority, KSA
- Dr Özgür Soy, CEO, Metro Istanbul
- Mohamed Mezghani, Secretary General, UITP
Participants from across the region shared updates and priorities, helping shape EMURP’s first workplan. A live survey and roundtable discussion informed future activities and platform direction.
UITP MENA Rail Workshop
Alongside the launch, UITP held its MENA Rail Workshop, focusing on:
- Financing innovation and revenue diversification
- Real-time passenger flow management
- Resilience in operations
- Multimodal integration and user experience
Experts discussed new funding models, AI-driven demand forecasting, and human-centred design. As UITP’s Mezghani noted: “If it takes more than 30 seconds to understand how to use a transport system, it’s already too late.”
EMURP will now establish its first technical working groups and continue developing its programme. The next meeting is planned for later in 2025.
Through ongoing cooperation and knowledge sharing, EMURP aims to accelerate the development of safe, efficient, and future-ready urban rail systems across Eurasia and the MENA region.
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