Rail sector demands equal treatment for infrastructure charges
The rail sector is concerned about last week’s announcements regarding the upgrade of the European Climate Law. CER, ERFA, and UIRR believe that the Eurovignette Directive reform undermines rail freight’s competition, and focuses more on...Read more
Commission approves Austrian support scheme
The European Commission has approved an Austrian financial support scheme for rail freight transportation. The scheme which is compiled by two measures aims to cover grants and relieve rail operators from track access charges. With...Read more
‘Everyone should have a fair share of COVID-19 support measurements’
Non-discriminatory support measures for everyone in the rail freight sector. That is what the European Rail Freight Association wants from the European Commission and the Member States, responding to the the second COVID-19 wave hitting...Read more
Completion of TEN-T core network not possible without EU support
The major challenges of the TEN-T infrastructure network can only be met with a sound mix of funding and financial instruments. The years 2016 and 2017 were successful in that regard, states the progress report...Read moreNew rules to speed up TEN-T completion formed
New rules to make administrative procedures for infrastructure simpler will speed up the completion of the trans-European transport network (TEN-T). A provisional agreement has been reached by the European Parliament and Council on Tuesday to...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
Leaked EU Green Deal could suit the rail freight sector
Brussel’s draft plan for the European Green Deal was leaked last week. If all what is ambitioned will actually go through, the future for rail freight looks bright. The plan responds to many of the...Read moreRail sector qualifies for EU green bonds
A significant share of investment in the EU’s railway sector could in the future be financed by green bonds. This was concluded by the European Commission. The conclusion follows ‘a growing green bond market, particularly...Read more
European Commission blocks Alstom-Siemens merger
The European Commission has decided to prohibit the proposed merger of two technology giants – Siemens Mobility and Alstom. The decision means that two companies will continue to work separately and the proposed new EU...Read more
Construction Rail Baltica starts in 2020, Vilnius to be included
A time frame has been set for the completion of Rail Baltica, linking Poland and the Baltic states by rail. Construction should commence in 2020, while the entire project should be delivered by end 2025....Read more
New TEN-T maps for Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine
The maps of the TEN-T network in Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine have been presented. The European core transport network has for the first time been extended towards these eastern countries, in order...Read more
EU Commission: ‘The Belt and Road initiative is a Chinese project’
The Belt and Road initiative (BRI) is a Chinese project. The EU does not participate in it, but it is also not a simple spectator of it. The European Commission pays attention to the BRI...Read more
German companies funded for energy saving investments
Germany will receive EU funding for a scheme to support railway companies that invest in energy efficiency technologies. Companies providing electrically powered rail transport services may be compensated for up to 50 per cent of...Read more