ERFA provides input to the on-going discussions on legislative changes to the Access to Rail Facilities framework. ERFA welcomes the European Commission?s intentions to introduce transparent access conditions, pricing and clear procedures for handling requests and solving conflicts, with a view to optimising the effective use of service facilities for all railway undertakings, but hghlights potential loopholes in the latest draft.

ERFA welcomes the current draft legislation as already a big step forward in improving the current poor planning of the IMs and the limited efforts made to minimise disruptions for RU services on national networks. The provisions that apply for capacity restrictions for cross border operations are also very helpful for improving the coordination work that is already supposed to happen on the RFCs, under Regulation 913/2010, but that does not take place/deliver any results.

Recently ERFA, together with other associations entered into a joint agreement with TÜV Süd, where the latter will provide the associations with an updated list of all applicable legislation for railway manufacturing, maintenance and refurbishment, also known as "Listing of directives relating to RFU-PLG Ol3"

The primary objective of RINF is to support the process of assessing the route compatibility between the vehicle and the route. In order to support a sound assessment the register of infrastructure must be comprehensive. RINF has to be populated with the relevant information by each National Registry Entity (NRE).

ERFA and CER highlight in a common position paper the differences of the broad-gauge systems and showcases their specific needs for vehicle authorisation in light of the 4th Railway Package?s Technical Pillar.

ERFA believes that a single operational language, English, for international traffic is a necessary step towards an integrated Single European Railway Area, and should be part of the revision of the train drivers? directive (Directive 2007/59/EC). ERFA is convinced that a single operational language for international traffic is a simple but important step forward bringing supranational-orientation and competition in the European rail network as well as guaranteeing high safety standards.

ERFA, representing new entrants in the rail market, very much welcomes the draft implementing act on access to service facilities and rail related services. The EU Commission's draft published in October responds to the concerns raised by many small railway undertakings from both passenger and freight sectors in Europe.

As controlling the levels of railway transportation noise continues to be a hot topic for the industry, Maria Price, Head of European Policies and Public Affairs at the International Union of Wagon Keepers (UIP) and Markus Vaerst, Acting Secretary General of the European Rail Freight Association (ERFA), reflect on recent policies in this area. They also assess whether the Noise Differentiated Track Access Charges (NDTAC) scheme is raising more concerns than support towards railway noise reduction.

Effective implementation of existing EU rules would already be an important step forward in improving TRANSPARENCY, EFFICIENCY and CONSISTENCY of charges. Is this happening? EU court of Auditors report (published May 2016) highlighted implementation as a problem in the rail sector, also in the areas of the calculation of track access charges and separation of accounts.

In a joint letter to the European Commission the European transport associations, CER, EIM, ERFA, T&E, UITP and UNIFE call for an ambitious strategy to tackle rising Green House Gas emissions from the transport sector (from 1990 ? 2013 GHG emissions have risen by 20%) Major opportunities to decarbonise transport must be grasped within all modes, but also with a focus on shifting to cleaner modes.

ERFA highlight a list of ?quick wins? for the Rail Freight Corridors ? relatively SMALL investments in quality than can result in BIG improvements on the performance of rail.

ERFA calls for a revision of the Rail Freight Corridors regulation in order to improve the performance of rail freight services, focusing on the need for strengthened leadership and targeted financial support for achieving quick wins, as well as improvements in the provision of efficient train paths.