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
EU’s mobility strategy: ‘rail freight traffic will double by 2050’
The European Commission announced its ‘sustainable and smart mobility strategy’ and ‘action plan’ with regards to the transformation of European transportation. Objectives concern the doubling of rail freight traffic by 2050, and the doubling of...Read more
EU member states implement track access charges measures
Several European countries have already reduced or waived track access charges (TACs) for rail freight undertakings. For instance, Germany and the Netherlands have cut them in half, while Austria and Luxemburg have waived them completely....Read more
European court upholds fine on Lithuanian Railways
The Commission’s decision to fine Lithuanian Railways (LG) back in 2017 is correct. This is the verdict of the Court of Justice of the European Union. The fine was imposed to the rail operator with...Read more
EU Commission announces updates on the work plans of TEN-T corridors
The European Commission shared some interesting updates concerning the work plans of nine TEN-T corridors. Corridors of the TEN-T network are expected to be fully developed until 2030. Consequently, the updates are aiming to guide...Read more
600 million euros scheme for German single wagon transport
A 600 million euro German scheme has been approved by the European Commission under the EU state aid rules. The scheme aims to provide support to single wagon rail freight transportation. With a duration until...Read more
EU’s common goals but clear language for China
Transparency, sustainability, level playing field, and reciprocity: these four pillars define Maja Bakran Marcich’s point of view on the cooperation between Europe-China on the New Silk Road. “If BRI respects these principles, adheres to EU...Read more
EU: additional measures for fast rail freight at borders
The European Commission has taken additional measures to improve the rapid flow of goods by rail now that most Member States are in full or partial lockdown. This is to ensure that the trains are...Read more
Intermodality as a low-carb diet for Europe
“Europe needs a low-carb diet”. This was one of the statements made at the European Intermodal Summit 2020. It doesn’t refer to an actual nutritional value. Instead, it was used by Hupac’s CEO Michail Stahlut to...Read more
Now official: track access charges may be waived during pandemic
Member States of the European Union may waive or reduce track access charges to support railway undertakings during the pandemic. The European Parliament voted in favor of this new regulation earlier today. Railway companies are...Read more
New European partnership formed to follow up Shift2Rail
The European Commission is inviting private and public companies to form a European Partnership on Rail Research and Innovation, which is to succeed the current Shift2Rail Joint Undertaking. In an invitation of Expression of Interest,...Read more
Big merger on Polish rail freight market
Poland’s rail freight market is on the verge of a big merger. Two major operators Lotos Kolej and Orlen KolTrans will be amalgamated into one entity. The combined operator will be a strong player in...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
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
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 moreEuropean recovery plan welcome, but ‘not enough’
The long-term budget (MFF) and recovery plan for the transport sector presented by European Commission has been welcomed by the railway industry. But, it is not sufficient for an overall shift to green mobility, says...Read more