The Council and the European Parliament agreed on a final version of the 4th Railway Package. The result is far removed from the European Commission?s initial ambition for reforming rail. The real winners from yesterday?s agreement are the other more polluting modes of transport, led notably by the road sector, who continue to make market gains where rail refuses to reform.

At ERFA's Annual event the EU Commission's Head of Transport Henrik Hololei led calls for the rail sector to raise its game. Highlighting ERFA's ambitious, new action plan to deliver high performance on the rail freight corridors, Mr Hololei welcomed the fresh momentum to tackle rail's current underperformance.  

An open letter co-signed by the representatives of the customers,passengers, independent rail operators, rail leasing companies and environmental campaigners urging ambitious reform of the rail sector.

Ahead of a decisive meeting on 30th September ERFA urges an end to loopholes in financial transparency. The loopholes that have recently emerged in discussions within Council create competitive distortions between EU Member States and within the rail sector. ERFA warns that they are contrary to the conditions needed for a competitive rail sector.

 ERFA raises concerns over the weakening of financial transparency provisions within the 4th Railway Package discussions.

Ahead of the Transport Working Party on the opening of the domestic passenger market ERFA urges EU Member States to harness the benefits of competition in order to drive up the quality of rail services. Shielding rail services from any kind of competitive pressure does not help the sector generate growth or attract investment.

Together with CER and UIRR, ERFA published a joint statement regarding rail intermodal in the US and highlighting the lessons that can be learnt for Europe.

At its Annual Event held in Brussels on 24th March the association of newcomers on the rail market discussed how to attract investment, growth and innovation in the European rail sector.

ERFA supports efforts to reduce rail noise, but not at the expense of jeopardising the competitiveness of the rail sector.

The independent rail operators, represented by ERFA and the rail freight customers, represented by CLECAT and ESC urge EU decision-makers to give their strong support to more cooperation and customer-orientation on the railways.

ERFA draws attention to two recent court wins by independent operators, which underline the vested interest that continues to block new services and growth on the railways.  

Failure to implement EU rail legislation undermines the Single European Railway Area, jeopardising safety, competitiveness and growth of the rail sector.