Analysis: will DB Cargo end up like SNCF Fret?
This week, an important European rail freight company was saved from possible sanctions by the European Commission through an uncompromising reorganisation plan. SNCF Fret, the French subsidiary of SNCF was under fire because it had...Read more
Official: Germany pumps 1,1 billion to cover rail electricity bills
With the EU’s approval, Germany will pour 1,1 billion euros into its rail sector to alleviate it from the skyrocketing electricity traction prices. The German government decided to act against the increased energy costs in...Read more
Single wagon traffic vs block trains: financial support should not be a vicious circle
As many states are already supporting or planning to adopt supportive measures for single wagon traffic, the European Rail Freight Association (ERFA) draws attention to the possibly distorting side effects that such practice could have...Read more
Another financial aid package for Estonian Railways, ‘one of the many to come’
Estonian Railways (EVR) will receive the second package of governmental financial assistance in a few months. The state-owned company that noted a financial loss of 20,7 million euros in 2022 will receive 8,7 million euros...Read more
Fret SNCF under EU’s microscope for state aid rules compliance
The rail freight subsidiary of SNCF, Fret SNCF, is subject to investigation by the European Commission. The investigation’s objective is to determine whether financial measures taken in favour of the rail freight company between 2007-2019...Read more
French rail association asks for more state aid to develop rail freight
Major rail freight players in France presented new demands to Clement Beaune, the Minister for Transport, as Alliance 4F (Fret Ferroviaire Français du Futur) claimed. The main purpose of these demands is to make rail freight...Read more
DB in the state aid loop again with multimillion financial injection
Deutsche Bahn will receive 215 million euros in the form of equity injection under the EU’s state aid guidelines. The financial support scheme was approved by Brussels, aiming to compensate the German national company for...Read more
“Simpler state aid is great, but mind the internal competition”
The European Commission’s intention to simplify the state aid rules for green transport could directly benefit rail, which is very important. However, when it comes to granting subsidies and funding, the Commission and the Member...Read more130 million state aid for Italy targets track access charges
The EU Commission has approved another state aid scheme for Italy. This time 130 million euros are reserved to support freight and passenger rail operators by partially compensating for track access charges expenses.Read more
Brussels approve additional support for war-related losses in Germany
The EU Commission approved an additional 11 billion euro state aid scheme directed to Germany. The umbrella scheme, as the Commission calls it, is complementary to the 20 billion euros allocated to Germany in late...Read moreGermany: 20 billion euros state aid for war-related losses, rail also to benefit
The first wave of EU state aid for war-related losses is here. The European Commission approved a 20 billion euros state aid scheme to relieve German companies suffering due to the war in Ukraine and...Read moreThe EU plans state aid for companies impacted by sanctions
SANCTIONSThe EU is coming up with a new state aid mechanism to help those affected by the sanctions, said Kristian Schmidt, director of land transport in the EU Commission. European companies suffer losses due to...Read more
European Commission puts state aid to DB Cargo under scrutiny
The European Commission has launched an investigation to find out to what extent certain aid measures by the German government for DB Cargo are in line with EU state aid rules. The committee reports that...Read more
Slovenia takes steps to support rail freight sector
The European Commission has approved a 15 million euros support scheme proposed by the Slovenian government. The funding will run until the end of 2023 and will be available to railway companies through direct grants.Read more
Belgian minister wants ease of state aid rules for European rail
Belgian mobility minister Georges Gilkinet has asked Europe to ease state aid rules for rail transport, both for freight and for international passenger transport, including night trains. He made his plea during a meeting of...Read more
Rail freight companies want Berlin to ‘hear the signal’
Rail freight industry players held the first ever demonstration on rails in Berlin yesterday, 28 September. They demonstrated against the state aid of the German government for Deutsche Bahn. Organised by the Network of European...Read more
8 billion euros on the table for Deutsche Bahn in corona crisis
The German federal government and Deutsche Bahn are working on a financial support package of approximately 8 billion euros. The German state-owned railway company expects to lose between 11 and 13.5 billion euros in revenues...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