From 26 to 28 May 2026, Johannesburg hosted the inaugural African edition of the UIC Commuter and Regional Train Services (CRTS) Training Programme, marking a significant milestone in the development of rail knowledge and capacity-building initiatives across the continent.
Jointly organised by the UIC Rail Academy, the UIC Passenger Department, and Tshwane University of Technology (TUT), with support from the Rail Manufacturing Centre for Entrepreneurship Rapid Incubator (RMCERI), the three-day programme brought together more than 70 participants and over 20 expert speakers from South Africa and around the world. The event provided a unique opportunity for learning, knowledge sharing, professional networking, and collaborative discussions on the future of commuter and regional rail services in Africa.
Building on the success of the eight previous European editions, the first African CRTS Training Programme was specifically designed to address the status quo, opportunities, and challenges facing commuter and regional rail systems across the continent, while drawing on varying international experiences and best practices. The programme aimed to equip participants with practical tools, strategic insights, and innovative approaches to strengthen passenger rail services and enhance customer-centric transport solutions.
The training programme opened with welcoming remarks from UIC and TUT representatives, highlighting the growing importance of rail transport in supporting sustainable mobility, economic development, and social inclusion across Africa. Throughout the three days, participants benefited from an in-depth programme involving presentations, panel discussions, and interactive exchanges covering a wide range of topics, including rail infrastructure, operations, safety and security, station management, customer experience, innovation, workforce development, and the future of regional mobility.
A particular highlight of the programme was the Design Thinking Workshop held on the second day. Working collaboratively in multidisciplinary groups, participants explored innovative solutions to better respond to the various needs and expectations of South African rail passengers. The session fostered creativity, collaboration, and practical problem-solving, and produced constructive ideas and perspectives for the future development of commuter rail services.
Leading experts representing railway undertakings, infrastructure managers, manufacturers, academic institutions, consulting firms, and international organisations all contributed to the programme.
Discussions reflected a range of viewpoints and experiences, and encouraged open dialogue and the sharing of lessons learned in different railway environments.
The final day focused on station-related challenges and opportunities, before participants visited the Gibela Rail Transport Consortium manufacturing facility in Dunnottar, which gave the participants an overview of rolling stock production and industrial development within South Africa.
Aside from the technical content, the training programme created an excellent environment for networking and professional exchange, which strengthened connections between railway professionals from across Africa and beyond. Participants repeatedly praised the open discussions, peer learning opportunities, and international perspectives shared throughout the event.
UIC and TUT would like to express their sincere thanks to all speakers, participants, and organising teams whose commitment and expertise contributed to the success of this landmark event.
Special thanks are also extended to the programme sponsors – Gibela Rail Transport Consortium, McKinsey & Company, and RMCERI – whose support was essential to making this inaugural African edition possible.
Following the success of the Johannesburg edition, the UIC Rail Academy and its partners are pleased to announce that the next Commuter and Regional Train Services Training Programme will take place in Barcelona, Spain, from 28 to 30 October 2026. The programme will continue to encourage international dialogue, knowledge sharing, and capacity building to support the development of efficient, appealing, and sustainable commuter and regional rail services worldwide.
The successful launch of the CRTS Training Programme in Africa represents another important step in UIC’s commitment to supporting railway professionals through global learning opportunities, and strengthening passenger rail systems for the benefit of communities across the world.
For more information about the UIC Commuter and Regional Train Services (CRTS) Training programme, its goals, and future editions, please visit UIC CRTS.
To discover the full range of learning and professional development opportunities offered by the UIC Rail Academy, please visit UIC Rail Academy.
