16 billion euros set aside for rail transport in Poland
Poland will be the biggest beneficiary of the upcoming EU financial perspective for 2021–2027. Around 170 billion euros is expected to be dedicated to the country. In total, 16 billion euros has been set aside...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
Hungary discusses 40% reduction of track access charges
Hungary is considering reducing its track access charges by 40 per cent, following the example of several EU countries. This measure could support rail freight during the ongoing pandemic, argues HUNGRAIL, the strategic partner of...Read more
Amendments to the road toll rules: good or bad news?
A provisional agreement has been reached on the amendment of the Eurovignette Directive. This means that one more step has been taken towards a more equal playing field for rail and road transport. In practice,...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
Not all infrastructure managers compensated for low railway charges
Many countries in Europe have enabled access to rail at a reduced or even nullified rate in order to support railways during the pandemic. This is great news for the railway undertakings, but not all...Read more
What happens when the COVID discounts for rail are gone?
Much of the European rail network is currently free of charge. This is thanks to the regulation that allows for a waiver, or reduction of track access charges during the pandemic. However, this possibility is...Read more
‘Hyperloop should not cannibalise traditional railways’
Hyperloop technology, which enables travel speeds of 1,200 km/h, holds massive potential for the railway industry. At the same time, there are areas of potential conflict between railways and hyperloop. In a recently published position...Read more
TENT-T network needs freight-only lines and ‘intermodal gauge’
Rail infrastructure needs to be adjusted to the needs of intermodal traffic, and the revision of the TEN-T regulation is the ideal moment for such a change. That is the core message of the UIRR...Read more
How Latvia segments the railway market for infrastructure charging
There are different ways in which countries determine segments on the rail market for infrastructure charging. In a webinar on 17 March, an online seminar on railway transportation market segmentation was held by LatRailNet, the...Read more
‘EU Year of Rail should be extended in face of COVID-19’
CER, EIM and UNIFE – among the main rail associations in Brussels – have asked for an extension of the European Year of Rail, as the pandemic hinders the full potential it could have in...Read more
European railways struggle to balance Covid-related losses
European railway services seem to face financial hurdles during the beginning of 2021. The year started ominously since Covid-related losses for passenger and freight services do not guarantee any improvement window for the following months....Read moreEU railway industry loses 26 billion euro in revenue due to pandemic
The EU railway industry has lost 26 billion euros in revenue last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. These figures are based on data collected among the members of the Community of European Railway and...Read more
This is what the European Year of Rail has to offer
This year is the European Year of Rail, and the European Commission has launched the official website of this event. The train as a smart and sustainable means of transport will receive extra attention in...Read more
After Rotterdam Declaration, EU rail freight signs Berlin Declaration
Following the Rotterdam Declaration signed in 2016, the European rail freight industry today signed the Berlin Declaration. This is a renewed ministerial declaration, showing the commitment of the EU Member States to support international rail...Read more
EU supports rail in the Netherlands with 62 million
The European Commission has made available 62 million euro in subsidies for infrastructure projects in the Netherlands. Brussels is contributing 8.7 million euros to the work on the Theemsweg route in the Rotterdam port area...Read more
European Green Deal impossible without longer trains
In order to implement the European Green Deal, the rail sector should develop standardisation and interoperability. Among other things, this means the necessity of introducing the 740-metre or even longer freight trains on the railway...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
Will the Schengen travel ban affect the movement of goods?
The European Union is set to shut down all Schengen area borders as an extreme measure to prevent the coronavirus from spreading further. It is expected that this measure will not apply to the movement...Read more