Bombardier Invites Passengers to Design the Interior of Future Trains

Contest “YouRail – Visions of Modern Transportation” is already a considerable success on the internet

Bombardier Transportation has launched a worldwide web-based contest for the creation of innovative interior designs for trains. “YouRail – Visions of Modern Transportation” calls on consumers to unleash their creativity and express their vision of future train interiors.

“While input from rail operators, our direct customers, is still crucial, this contest enables us to engage passengers directly to better understand their needs and propose innovative solutions,” says Martin Ertl, Chief Innovation Officer Bombardier Transportation. He adds: “Within a few days we have received 1.000 entries. More than 780 web users are already active members of the YouRail community and are taking part in what is called open innovation. This demonstrates the potential this kind of end-user involvement also has in our business.”

Participants in the competition are invited to submit their proposals for different categories over the internet. Bombardier executives and external experts will select the winning design and award prizes worth 10.000 euros ($15.000 US) for the best entries. The successful designs will be presented by Bombardier in September 2010 at the world’s most important rail technology trade show, InnoTrans, in Berlin.

Chris Antonopoulos, Vice President Sales Bombardier Transportation, and member of the YouRail jury, emphasizes: “We are the first rail technology company to create an online innovation community. It helps us to anticipate end-user needs, to identify trends and lead users.” Mr Antonopoulos stresses the growing importance of interior design for rail as part of Bombardier’s strategic effort to make train travel more comfortable and attractive for passengers. He explains: “Like cars or planes, we compete at the same or even higher levels of comfort and convenience. Vehicles like our new high-speed platform ZEFIRO and regional trains like the TALENT 2 for Germany or the French SPACIUM are but a few examples of sleek, modern and inviting trains from Bombardier which offer customized comfort and attractive travel environments. YouRail is an excellent tool to get even closer to the consumer’s voice vis-à-vis future projects.”

The contest YouRail – Visions of Modern Transportation can be accessed at www.yourail-design.bombardier.com. It is open to everybody interested in innovative interior train design.

Participants can submit freely created designs for three types of travel: leisure, business and commuter. In a second category, a 3D configuration tool can be used to design seat covers to create inviting interiors. Deadline for submissions is December 14, 2009.