On the right track, European rail sector unites, integrating for digital era

For the first time, the entire ecosystem of EU rail has come together in Berlin. From innovation to authorisation and market entry, stakeholders are building on rail’s rich history to integrate it into the digital era, making it more attractive for passengers and freight alike.

“We are uniting not just Europe and the Member States in Berlin, but for the first time, we are bringing the entire ecosystem of EU rail together,” said Kristian Schmidt, Director of Land Transport at the Directorate-General for Mobility and Transport at the European Commission.

Held during InnoTrans 2024, the world’s largest trade fair for transport technology, Europe’s Rail Joint Undertaking (EU-Rail), the European Commission (EC), and the European Union Agency for Railways (ERA) have come together to position rail as the backbone of a sustainable network that drives economic resilience and climate objectives.

The delegation arrived in Berlin via a symbolic train journey from Brussels, demonstrating the feasibility of direct capital-to-capital rail connections—an ambition central to Europe’s rail strategy.

This also aligns with the Commission’s broader goal of establishing an ambitious high-speed rail network, including night trains, to make rail a competitive alternative to short-haul flights.

By expanding capacity and improving connectivity, the EU seeks to make rail the first choice for sustainable travel across Europe.

Rail as the future of sustainable mobility

“Rail is the future of mobility. Now is the time to invest — for the economy, for society, and the environment,” said Belgium’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Mobility, Georges Gilkinet, who kicked off the symbolic train ride.

Magda Kopczyńska, Director-General for Mobility and Transport at the European Commission, stated: “President von der Leyen has emphasised sustainable prosperity and competitiveness in her political guidelines, and rail is central to both.”

MEP Tilly Metz, rapporteur on the Capacity Regulation, underscored the critical need for a holistic rail vision to address Europe’s transport challenges. Coming from Luxembourg, the only EU country with free public transport, Metz views rail as a viable alternative to air travel, but only if it becomes affordable, accessible, and reliable for both passengers and freight operators.

More people and goods on trains

Gilkinet reinforced this message, highlighting the economic and environmental benefits of increased rail use. “Rail was also a topic on the agenda in Budapest—a well-chosen topic since we are convinced that rail has a great potential as the first choice for travel,” he said.

Noting that every euro invested in rail generates three euros for the economy, Gilkinet added: “It brings money back to society, improves road safety, and benefits the climate.”

Giorgio Travaini, Executive Director of Europe’s Rail Joint Undertaking, added: “From passengers and workers to technologies and companies, we must work together; otherwise, the change won’t happen. We need to give ourselves the means to succeed.”

Investment and innovation: the backbone of rail's revival

Aligning the rail industry with the EU’s green and digital transitions is central to the European Green Deal, which aims to reduce transport emissions by 55% by 2030 and achieve climate neutrality by 2050.

However, this will require substantial and sustained investment in infrastructure, technology, and workforce training.

Metz expects the European Commission to present a coherent transport policy that prioritises rail. “Member States must massively ramp up investments, potentially through the polluter pays principle,” she told Euractiv.

In addition, she called for more initiatives to boost rail capacity and calls for a sustainable investment plan and more resources for the European Union Agency for Railways (ERA).

However, she expressed concern that national interests are overshadowing cross-border collaboration. “The Council is prioritising national agendas over European coordination,” she told Euractiv, emphasising that this could fragment the rail market and undermine the optimal use of European infrastructure.

Overcoming cross-border rail challenges

Despite efforts to improve connectivity, cross-border rail travel remains a challenge. Over 1,900 trains cross EU borders daily - 246 high-speed, 1,100 regionals, and 54-night trains - but passenger experiences often fall short.

Delphine Grandsart, Senior Researcher at the European Passengers Federation, stressed the need to improve affordability, access, and the overall passenger experience to encourage a shift toward rail.

One promising development is the Single Digital Booking and Ticketing Regulation to simplify booking trans-European journeys on a single platform.

“The booking and ticketing is very welcome; it includes passenger protection and enjoys broad consensus, but it needs to move forward faster in this legislature.”

Rail freight and digitalisation: key to a greener Europe

Improving rail freight operations is also crucial to transitioning to a sustainable transport system. “We are not part of the logistics of the big companies,” said David Zindo, President of the International Union of Wagon Keepers. “If we want to be included, we need to digitalise and become attractive to companies and young people entering the railway sector.”

Zindo stressed the importance of convincing customers to choose rail for their logistics needs: “To succeed, we need more efficiency, adaptability to customer needs and digital integration. Digital automatic coupling (DAC) is a key innovation for achieving these goals.”

DAC, along with the European Rail Traffic Management System (ERTMS), is expected to transform rail freight by streamlining operations and enhancing reliability.

Celebrating leadership in rail: Women in Rail Awards

As the rail sector embraces innovation and seeks to attract new talent, leadership diversity is increasingly important. The Women in Rail Awards, presented at InnoTrans 2024, recognised the vital role women are playing in driving change within the industry.

These awards highlight the growing contribution of female leaders in shaping the future of rail, aligning with the sector’s broader goals of inclusion, innovation, and sustainability.

[Edited By Brian Maguire | Euractiv's Advocacy Lab ]