Publications

ERFA Manifesto - Delivering for Rail Freight: 2024-2029

The ERFA Manifesto presents what ERFA believes are the key issues which must be addressed by the European Institutions and Member States during the new legislative cycle 2024-2029. The manifesto identifies three broad policy objectives which should be focused on. These are fixing infrastructure, achieving the Single European Railway Area and improving rail freight?s competitiveness.

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Joint Paper - Alliance of associations outlined priorities for rail freight in 2024-2029

ERFA, together with the International Union for Rail-Road Combined Transport (UIRR), and two national associations - Die Güterbahnen in Germany and RailGood in The Netherlands - joined forces in a Joint Paper outlining key priorities for enabling rail freight to meet its growth targets set for 2030 and 2050. The new five-year legislative cycle starting after the European Parliament Elections (06-09 June) will indeed be of crucial importance to make modal shift a reality.

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ERFA Annual Report 2022

The 2022 ERFA Annual Report encompasses a comprehensive overview of ERFA actions taken to support private and independent rail freight companies from across Europe. The documents also includes a detailed presentation of the association, a list of highlight and policy developments over the year, and links towards ERFA communication channels, press releases and the ERFA study on the liberalisation of the rail freight market.

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ERFA ANNUAL REPORT 2021

Overview of ERFA Activities and developments within the organisation throughout 2021. The Annual Report includes a strong focus on the work of ERFA to support private and independent rail freight companies throughout the pandemic and afterwards.

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The European Rail Freight Market - Competitive Analysis and Recommendations

This study provides an overview of the development of the European rail freight sector over the last two decades, with a particular focus on the consequences of the market liberalization that started in the 1990s. We discuss the current market structure and competitive arena, and the important role that challengers (formerly referred to as new entrants, as well as the foreign operations of incumbents) played in driving rail freight growth and innovation.

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How can Track Access Charges support a competitive rail sector?

In this paper ERFA highlights concerns regarding track access charges and actions that can be taken to ensure that rail charging schemes support a more competitive rail freight sector. ERFA strongly welcomes Germany's decision to reduce track access charges in order to make rail freight transport more competitive with the other modes of transport.

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ERFA INPUT TO OTIF DISCUSSIONS ON LIABILITY

ERFA has submitted an official position to OTIF on the proposal from Switzerland to modify Article 7 § 1 UR CUV (26th Meeting of the OTIF Revision Committee). ERFA does not support the Swiss proposal to modify the liability rules in case of damages to freight wagons.

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Press Statement: Learnings from Rastatt

Infrastructure Managers must strengthen their support for international services. Rail freight companies set out their priorities: - Infrastructure managers must take responsibility for developing one standard infrastructure. - Adaptation to different operational rules, signalling systems, language requirements, train parameters. - Full liability for the financial damages caused by Rastatt must also be settled by DB Netz.

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Rastatt disaster: let's learn the lessons!

ERFA with 28 other European and national-based associations co-signed an open letter addressed to: Commissioner Bulc, 28 EU Transport Ministers, Swiss Transport Minister, Rail Freight Corridors and Executive Director of ERA.  The Rastatt disaster led to chaos and wide-reaching economic damage. It is vital rail wins back customer confidence.

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More Budget for Transport Coalition

ERFA together with the European transport organisations promotes the campaign: More budget for transport. The transport sector plays a very important role in our day to day lives. It employs over 20 million people, which represents 10% of total EU employment. Every day the sector faces new challenges. To keep up with the times we need to continue the process of innovation we have begun. High EU financial resources are so important for the future!  

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