ERFA: State Aid Guidelines are outdated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 more
Wish 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 more
How 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
EU railway companies should ‘get going’ with language pilots
In 2019, railway undertakings may carry out pilot projects to test alternative means of ensuring effective communication during railway operations. The European Commission urges the sector to ‘get going’ with these tests, which are aimed...Read more
‘Rise Spanish track access charges could harm rail freight market’
The Spanish Anti-Trust Authority (CNMC) has requested the Spanish infrastructure manager ADIF to review its proposal to increase the track access charges in 2028. It concluded that it had not consulted the market sufficiently, while...Read more
EU rail sector: Graz Declaration could mark beginning of new era
The rail sector associations CER, EIM, ERFA, UIP, UIRR and UNIFE welcome the Graz Declaration, pushing for environment-friendly transportation in Europe. The rail sector stands ready to intensify its collaborative efforts in acting as a...Read more
Rastatt one-year anniversary: where are we now?
It is exactly one year ago that the disrupted railway line at Rastatt was reopened for train traffic. The three lobby organisations ERFA, NEE and UIRR take the opportunity to highlight the lessons learnt so...Read more
Alternative language requirements train drivers proposed
The European Commission (EC) has proposed pilot projects to test alternative means of ensuring effective communication during railway operations. In case of a diversion eligible train drivers may not be present, resulting in the cancellation...Read moreEconomic damage of Rastatt incident more than 2 billion Euros
The Rastatt incident that paralysed rail freight traffic during a seven-week interruption of railway operations on the Karlsruhe-Basel line of the Rhine-Alphine Corridor has resulted in economic damage of more than two billion Euros for...Read more