On 7th and 8th June, EPF held its annual conference in Stockholm. We look back to two days of very interesting presentations and discussions.

The first day focused on experiences from liberalized rail markets. Speakers included Libor Lochman (Executive Director CER), Gustav Sjöblom (Transportstyrelsen), Isabel Schleich (Strategic Project Manager FlixTrain), Gunnar Alexandersson (Senior researcher Stockholm School of Economics), Bryony Chetwode (TravelWatch SouthWest) and Jakop Dalunde (MeP and coordinator for the Greens at the TRAN-committee).

In the afternoon, there was an equally interesting round of presentations focusing on ticketing and pricing models, by Evelin Skeppström (SilverRail), Annette Skaarnæs (Commercial director Entur), Maria Hofberg (Director Revenue Management SJ), Mats Johannesson (CEO MTR Express) and Nick Brooks (Secretary General Allrail).

On the second conference day, the focus was on the role of consumer and passenger groups in shaping the future of (public) transport. We listened to inspiring speeches from consumer group representatives Lars Strömgren (European Cyclists’ Federation), Michael Randropp (Danish passengergroup Kystbanen), Örjan Brinkman (President BEUC) and Rasmus Markussen (Passagerpulsen Denmark). Finally, Elisabeth Kotthaus (Head of unit at DG MOVE for Social Aspects, Passenger Rights & Equal Opportunities) spoke about EU passenger rights.

In the afternoon, we discussed on how to improve conditions for vulnerable passenger groups and young people. Delphine Grandsart (EPF) presented the results of the EU research project HiReach that aims to tackle transport poverty and has analysed the needs of various vulnerable to exclusion groups with regard to transport and mobility. Other speakers included Tom Andersson (Trafikanalys, Swedish government agency for transport analysis), Estelle Berger (Resenärsforum), Erika Silén & Marcus Holm (InterRail influencers).

Thanks to everyone who contributed and especially Emil Frodlund and his colleagues from Resenärsforum who did an excellent job organising the conference as well as the side events!

Stay tuned: the presentations will be online soon! Make sure you don’t miss it – register for our newsletter.