2,5 billion German rail support approved
The European Commission has given the green light for a 2,5 billion euro support package of the German government to support the rail sector in the coming years. The money should benefit both rail freight...Read more
The Fit for 55 package – good news for rail?
The European Commission has unveiled its ambitious ‘Fit for 55’ regulatory package. The objective is to deliver at least a 55 per cent reduction of EU greenhouse gas emissions by 2030. This is considerably higher...Read more
TEN-T 2013-2020 has passed the test
The TEN-T planning and decision-making process has been effective in helping the EU move towards efficient infrastructure. However, the objectives of greater sustainability and increased benefits for users still require a lot of attention.This is...Read more
UIRR: yes to rail freight support, no to neglecting combined transport
Transport Ministers from Fifteen different EU Member States signed and adopted a Joint Position Paper on 31 March. The Joint Paper calls out the EU Commission to launch an initiative for the support of rail...Read more
Connecting Europe Express will celebrate the year of rail on tracks
A special train is set to travel across European tracks as of the coming September. The ‘Connecting Europe Express’ will be the flagship project for celebrating the European Year of Rail. It will crisscross the...Read more
EU Commission confirms UIRR’s study on the impact of new road haulage rules
On the 19th of February, the EU Commission published a ‘targeted impact assessment study’ concerning the consequences of the new EU road haulage rules on Combined Transport. Just like UIRR had predicted in its study,...Read more
What does the EU-China agreement on investment offer rail freight?
The Comprehensive Agreement on Investment (CAI) signed between the EU and China in late December 2020 is branded as the most ambitious agreement ever concluded by China with a third country concerning investment. It touches...Read more
Germany: 200 million state aid for interoperability
The European Commission has approved a 200 million euros scheme by the German state for the upgrade of rail vehicles in the area of Stuttgart. Financial support will take the form of direct grants to...Read more
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