EU proposes waiving of track access charges as support measure
The European Commission has proposed a regulation that allows EU Member States to waive or reduce track access charges as well as reservation charges. This is to support railway undertakings, which are facing challenging times...Read more
‘Freed-up capacity for freight should be new normal’
Now that passenger traffic gradually returns to the railways of Europe, it is a good moment to reflect on the much-debated capacity issue for freight. If there is one lesson learnt from the corona crisis,...Read more
‘Europe may face investment crisis in railway projects’
The European rail industry warns for an investment crisis in railway projects, if the existing EU funding legislation is not modified to suit the current corona crisis. Various lobby organisations made such statement in an...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
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
Rail Freight Forward coalition implements Handbook
In its vision paper “30 by 2030” the Rail Freight Forward coalition (RFF) has committed to adopt and implement a Contingency Management Handbook. This Handbook outlines harmonised international contingency measures whenever major disruptions happen on...Read more
ERFA: State Aid Guidelines are outdated
The European Rail Freight Association (ERFA) wants the State Aid Guidelines for Railway Undertakings revised. The set of standards must be modernised, to take into consideration developments in the rail freight sector over the past...Read more
‘SNCB and Infrabel should not be reunited’
The two Belgian state-owned railway companies, SNCB and Infrabel, may be joined into a single company. The first being a passenger railway firm while the other an infrastructure manager, the proposed union has sparked fierce...Read more
ERFA appoints new secretary general
The European Rail Freight Association (ERFA) has appointed a new secretary general. Starting from 26 August, Conor Feighan has taken office, heading the Brussels-based company that represents the European railway industry. Feighan replaces Carole Coune. Conor...Read more
ZSSK CARGO fined for ‘abuse dominance’ after 10 years
After nearly ten years the state-owned rail company of Slovakia, ZSSK CARGO, has been fined for what was condemned as ‘anti-competitive behaviour’ in the period 2005-2010. In these years, the company refused to sell or...Read moreWish list for new legislative period EU
With the constitution of the new European Parliament Transport and Tourism (TRAN) Committee, a new legislative period kicks in. Two independent rail company groups, ERFA and ALLRAIL, submitted their wish list of changes and improvements...Read moreHow to turn rail freight into a profitable business?
How to turn rail freight into a profitable business? What is needed to attract new entrants and more competition in the rail freight market? These are the central topics to be raised at the annual...Read more
‘European Commission safeguarded competitive pricing of rail’
By blocking the merger of two railway giants Siemens and Alstom, the European Commission has safeguarded the increasingly competitive pricing of rail transport. This was stated by the European Rail Freight Association (ERFA). Attractive prices...Read more
‘Railway companies should not have to pay for cancellations’
Railway companies should not have to carry the financial burden of train path cancellations or diversions. At the moment, international rail freight carriers too often face additional charges in case of a disruption. This is...Read more
Rail Freight Forward coalition signed in Katowice
On Friday 14 December, the Rail Freight Forward coalition was launched in Katowice, Poland. This is a coalition of European rail freight companies committed to reducing the negative impact of freight transport on the planet....Read more
Rail Freight Day 2018: what was achieved in the last 2 years?
At the Rail Freight Day in Vienna yesterday, nine European rail sector associations (CLECAT, EIM, ERFA, EUG, ESC, RNE, UIP, UIRR, UNIFE), supported by the rail freight corridors, presented their progress in implementing the Sector...Read more