EIM: no reduction but extended payment of track access charges
It is better to give rail operators more time to pay than to reduce track access charges. If they pay lower or no charges, the burden is simply passed on to from the operators to...Read more
EU Commission: there are possibilities to reduce the costs of rail
There are possibilities to support the railway sector with state aid. EU regulation allows this under the current exceptional circumstances. Railway lobby organisations have been shouting from the roof to get across this message, and...Read more
‘Europe may face investment crisis in railway projects’
The European rail industry warns for an investment crisis in railway projects, if the existing EU funding legislation is not modified to suit the current corona crisis. Various lobby organisations made such statement in an...Read more
Renewal of train driver license impossible during corona crisis
The renewal of licenses or certificates for professional carriers in the rail freight industry is at stake due to the public measures taken in most EU countries in view of the COVID-19 outbreak. Several countries...Read more
‘Europe: act upon those priority lanes for freight’
The European Commission is urging member states to implement green lanes for land (road and rail), sea and air transport in the wake of the coronavirus crisis. Freights transport should get priority at all the...Read more
Move all shipments to rail, or rather not?
Shipments through Europe are best loaded onto trains, as these continue to run as usual during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. On the contrary, truckers are facing long border queues with the implementation of additional border...Read more
2021: the European year of rail
On 4 March, the European Commission proposed a European Climate Law. This paves the way for a legally binding EU commitment to climate neutrality by 2050. The Community of European Railway and Infrastructure Companies has...Read moreEU considers single window for rail freight
After implementing the Maritime Single Window, the European Commission is considering to extend it to the rail freight sector. This move could be set in a new transport strategy that is currently being developed by...Read more
Poland concerned about noise regulations for ‘loud’ wagons
Many rail freight operators from Central and Eastern Europe will not be able to provide the quick modernisation of their wagon fleet, something that is required when several EU member states implement noise regulations. Member...Read more
Another battle for Combined Transport Directive
The European Commission has withdrawn the amendment proposal of the Combined Transport Directive. This became clear from its work programme 2020. The withdrawal means a delay to the modernisation of the Directive, which has been...Read more
TEN-T and New Silk Road integration – top priority in 2020
Making TEN-T and New Silk Road work together, for nations and businesses large and small, could be the biggest challenge in the coming twelve months, said delegates from government and industry at the European Silk...Read more
CER: time-based road tolls hinder shift to rail
The modal shift to rail is impossible without fair competition. For that reason, the Community of European Railway and Infrastructure Companies (CER) is calling the EU Member States to introduce the distance-based tolls on all...Read more
Why the TEN-T should be extended to Northern Sweden
The extension of the TEN-T to Northern Sweden will create a strategic EU gateway to the Arctic and consolidate the engagement of the EU as a key player in the development of the Arctic region....Read more
Quieter brakes, track upgrades and more port connections in Europe
The EU is investing over 117 million euros in 39 key transport projects that will help build missing connections across the continent, while focusing on sustainable transport modes. The projects will reduce the noise generated...Read more
Study shows direction for TEN-T modification
European interest group FERRMED is carrying out a study that could provide a fundamental tool in the modification of the TEN-T Regulation. This set of rules determining the corridor network of the EU is to...Read moreUNIFE calls for level playing field Europe-China
Railway interest group UNIFE has called for a level-playing field and fair conditions between the European and the Chinese rail supply industry. This was after the Chinese state-owned train manufacturer CRRC recently purchased the locomotive...Read more