Renewal of train driver license impossible during corona crisis
The renewal of licenses or certificates for professional carriers in the rail freight industry is at stake due to the public measures taken in most EU countries in view of the COVID-19 outbreak. Several countries...Read more
Dutch researchers: modal shift not going to happen
For many years, policymakers have pursued a modal shift of cargo to rail and inland shipping. However, this modal shift has not taken place. This was concluded by the Dutch Knowledge Institute for Mobility (KiM). For...Read more
‘Europe: act upon those priority lanes for freight’
The European Commission is urging member states to implement green lanes for land (road and rail), sea and air transport in the wake of the coronavirus crisis. Freights transport should get priority at all the...Read more
Latvia’s electrification scheme cancelled
A large-scale project to electrify the railway network of Latvia has been cancelled due a continuing drop in rail freight volumes. The national railway company Latvijas Dzelzcels took this decision this week. The electrification project...Read more
UK partial rail nationalisation to battle coronavirus
The UK has partially nationalised its railways as a temporary measure battling the coronavirus crisis. Rail freight remains in commercial hands, while the UK government has taken charge of the passenger rail network. All commercial...Read more
Move all shipments to rail, or rather not?
Shipments through Europe are best loaded onto trains, as these continue to run as usual during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. On the contrary, truckers are facing long border queues with the implementation of additional border...Read more
Train and truck drivers exempted from travel ban
Travelers from outside the EU are temporarily not permitted to enter the 25 countries of the Schengen zone, unless their trip is essential. This was decided by EU leaders during a video conference on the...Read more
Will the Schengen travel ban affect the movement of goods?
The European Union is set to shut down all Schengen area borders as an extreme measure to prevent the coronavirus from spreading further. It is expected that this measure will not apply to the movement...Read more
More money for rail freight in Switzerland
An additional amount of 295 million Swiss Francs has been allocated by the Swiss government to support rail freight traffic. Instead of the 90 million Swiss Francs reserved by the Federal Council, the National Council...Read more
‘Safeguard intermodal transport Italy/Europe in wake of coronavirus’
A list of measures to safeguard intermodal transport in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak has been presented to Italian and European institutions. Intermodal operators and lobby organisations have collectively issued an Open Letter proposing...Read more
Translate4Rail to remove language barriers on European corridors
The International Union of Railways (UIC) and RailNetEurope (RNE) have joined forces for removing language barriers on rail freight corridors across Europe. Within the Translate4Rail project, both organisations are developing a special language tool for...Read more
‘Year of rail 2021 much needed and perfectly timed’
Various railway organisations have welcomed the proposal of the European Commission to designate 2021 as the European Year of Rail. They believe that it should serve as an opportunity to deliver a much-needed legal framework...Read more
2021: the European year of rail
On 4 March, the European Commission proposed a European Climate Law. This paves the way for a legally binding EU commitment to climate neutrality by 2050. The Community of European Railway and Infrastructure Companies has...Read more
Lineas and ERFA link up for competitive rail freight market
ERFA’s Board of Directors welcomes the addition of Lineas to its membership. The European lobby organisation for rail transport believes that Lineas, in cooperation with other ERFA members, will have a key role to play...Read more
EU considers single window for rail freight
After implementing the Maritime Single Window, the European Commission is considering to extend it to the rail freight sector. This move could be set in a new transport strategy that is currently being developed by...Read more
Freight capacity on TEN-T network not enough
Capacity allocation for freight on the European rail corridors is currently not meeting the needs of international rail freight. The way that this is handled in Europe is fragmented and unharmonized. Therefore, the Rail Freight...Read more