GSMA Provides Update on Planned Barcelona Transport Strike and Contingency Plans for Mobile World Congress

BARCELONA, Spain, Feb. 26, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- The bus workers from TMB have announced that they have voted not to strike. The public bus system will operate as normal during the GSMA Mobile World Congress, held 27^th February through 1^st March 2012. 

The GSMA had developed full contingency plans to address several areas, including transportation, venue access, registration and security. These contingency plans will remain in place in order to help manage the large number of attendees coming to Mobile World Congress.   

TRANSPORTATION
Metro Service: Metro service will be running at full levels during the Mobile World Congress. Attendees should use the metro service as they have in prior years.

Municipal Bus Service: Public bus service will be running at full levels during the Mobile World Congress. Attendees should use the public bus service as they have in prior years.

Taxi Service: Taxi service will be running at normal high levels as per previous Mobile World Congress events and attendees should use taxi service as they have in prior years.

Walking Routes: For those attendees who live or are in accommodations near the Fira, walking routes to the venue will be open. Staff will be stationed along the routes to the venue to direct attendees to the nearest entrance.  Attendees should use walking routes as they have in prior years.

Private Transportation: Private transportation used by attendees to and from the Fira will operate as normal as it has in prior years. 

GSMA Hotel Bus Service: The GSMA is providing a limited fleet of hotel shuttle buses to augment public transportation and to transport attendees to and from the Fira de Barcelona via 15 collection points around the city. Attendees will be able to access information on the shuttle bus routes and collection points from their hotels upon their arrival.      

REGISTRATION

"FAST TRACK" eligible attendees arriving at Barcelona International Airport El Prat Terminal 1 should follow signs after leaving the baggage hall for desks 801 to 899 to collect their badge. This new service is available if your Final Confirmation has "FAST TRACK" stated in the title and a barcode is visible. Opening times are Sunday, 26^th February to Tuesday, 28^th February from 7:00 am to 7:00 pm and on Wednesday, 29^th February from 7:00 am to 4:00 pm.  If you do not have "FAST TRACK" confirmation, please proceed to the Fira registration points as in prior years.

VENUE ACCESS

The GSMA has more than doubled the capacity of attendee entrances to the Fira venue. Starting on Monday, 27^th February at 7:00 am, entrances to the Fira will be fully staffed and open for attendee access to the Mobile World Congress. Staff will be present to direct attendees to the most appropriate entrances.

Demonstrations on Wednesday, 29^th February
It is our understanding that the Student Union demonstration will start from the Plaza Universitat at 12.30 on Wednesday, 29^th February and the CCOO and UGT union demonstrations will start from the Plaza Catalunya at 18.00, also on Wednesday, 29^th February. The demonstrations will not take place near the Mobile World Congress venue. There will be controlled traffic restrictions in place along the demonstration route, but there will be alternative routes available. Attendees are encouraged to allow sufficient time to travel.

The GSMA will keep attendees updated during Mobile World Congress to apprise them of any important information. 

About the GSMA
The GSMA represents the interests of mobile operators worldwide. Spanning more than 220 countries, the GSMA unites nearly 800 of the world's mobile operators, as well as more than 200 companies in the broader mobile ecosystem, including handset makers, software companies, equipment providers, Internet companies, and media and entertainment organisations. The GSMA also produces industry-leading events such as the Mobile World Congress and Mobile Asia Expo. 

For more information, please visit the GSMA corporate website at www.gsma.com or Mobile World Live, the online portal for the mobile communications industry, at www.mobileworldlive.com.

SOURCE GSMA