The European Commission (EC) is planning another extensive revision of the package of the Technical Specifications for Interoperability (TSI) in 2026/2027. However, ten European rail associations came together to ask the EC to rethink its plan and wait for an extensive TSI revision until 2030.

One of the main reasons for this request is that the last TSI revision package was drawn up very recently and entered into force less than a year ago, in September 2023. Rather than an extensive revision, the ten associations are thus asking that “only a limited revision of the relevant top priorities identified above should be delivered by 2027-28”.

More specifically, the top priorities identified in a joint letter sent to the EC were the deployment of the European Train Control System, the Future Railway Mobile Communication System (FRMCS) and the Digital Automatic Coupling. “The TSI amendment related to FRMCS should be made available as soon as the specifications are delivered, expected by the end of 2026 – beginning 2027”, the letter stated.

These are the ten associations that sent the joint letter to the DG Move, the mobility and transport branch of the European Commission.

• European Rail Rolling Stock Lessors (AERRL)
• Alliance of Passenger Rail New Entrants (ALLRAIL)
• Community of European Railways and Infrastructures Companies (CER)
• European Infrastructure Managers (EIM)
• European Federation of Museum & Tourist Railways (FEDECRAIL)
• Notified Bodies Association (NB-Rail)
• International Union of Private Wagons (UIP)
• International Union of Combined Road-Rail Transport Companies (UIRR)
• International Association of Public Transport (UITP)
• The European Rail Supply Industry Association (UNIFE)

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