Single European railway area: use of railway infrastructure capacity

Transportstyrelsen, the Swedish Rail Regulatory Body, supports the objective of the Commission to introduce a regulation to bring about more efficient and harmonized capacity management for improved railway services especially for cross-border traffic. We have a number of concerns about e.g.

We would first like to thank the European Commission for the opportunity to give feedback to this proposal. We value the European Commission's efforts to engage with stakeholders in shaping effective policy. ALLRAIL, the Alliance of Passenger Rail New Entrants, is a non-profit association representing independent passenger rail companies (e.g. rail operators, ticket vendors, and rolling stock lessors) in Europe.

Getlink manages the cross-Channel Fixed Link from the European continent to the United Kingdom via its subsidiary Eurotunnel. It generally welcomes the willingness to promote rail from an environmental perspective and the desire to improve the management of international cross-border train paths.

We appreciate the commitment made by the Commission to improve and make rail transport more competitive. The proposal aims to harmonize the criteria on capacity allocation, but also and not less important, to another basic activity of the rail such as traffic management, proposing for this activity also a standard framework especially in the case of incidents affecting cross-border services.

The ACM broadly recognizes the European Commission's problem analysis that underlies the proposed Regulation. The Regulation replaces the current one-year capacity allocation with a longer term for capacity allocation.

As a matter of feedback ProRail is happy to provide feedback to the proposal. For this purpose we attach the impact assessments ProRail (in Dutch) has conducted for the Dutch Ministry and also the position paper of EIM, which has our support.

The Swedish Association of Local Authorities and Regions (SALAR) welcomes the overall objective of the European Commission, to enable more efficient use of railway infrastructure and rail capacity, and to increase European coordination.

The ART considers that the general arrangement envisaged by the proposal for a regulation is likely to significantly improve the use of infrastructure capacity and promote the development of rail mode, both for domestic and cross-border connections.

Filed in French · English published by the European Commission

Welcoming EC-support to the TTR sector initiative, FTE members analysed the proposal from a business perspective and expect major improvements if the below mentioned items are considered. Helpful items to be kept: 1. Provisions for multiannual cap. agreements (right to Framework Agreements (FA) A31, multiannual Rolling Planning A33, cap. specifications A26) 2. Multi-network cap.

RNE welcomes that the draft Regulation builds to a good extent upon sector initiatives, including most notably in the area of capacity management the Timetable Redesign (TTR) programme, the commercial conditions and rules, and in the area of traffic management the European traffic management network (ETMN) concept, but also the work on international contingency management conducted under the umbrella of RNE together…

Schienen-Control welcomes the initiative and the Proposal and generally approves of both the direction and scope of the proposed measures. A number of provisions, individual formulations and terms still require greater clarity in order to prevent difficulties in interpretation in (regulatory) practice.

Preliminary remarks: The German Transport Forum is the only cross-modal economic association of the mobility sector in passenger and freight transport in Europe. We understand ourselves as a lawyer for mobility. We are about maintaining and improving mobility conditions as a prerequisite for growth and employment.

Filed in German · English published by the European Commission

Our institution State Railway Administration of the Republic of Latvia which is the national rail regulatory body (henceforth - NRB) for Latvia in the meaning of article 55 of Directive 2012/34/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 21 November 2012 establishing a single European railway area is submitting its feedback, please see the attached file.

Europaforum Northern Sweden (EFNS) welcomes the European Commission's ongoing work to develop a proposal for a regulation on the use of rail infrastructure capacity in the Single European Railway Area, which is part of the EU's joint work to increase green freight transport and solve the multifaceted challenges facing the rail transport sector.

Cefic believes that the Commission proposal for a Regulation on the use of railway infrastructure capacity in the Single European Railway Area is a significant step forward towards improving rail capacity management and increasing national and international rail freight efficieny, reliability and flexibility.

As the voice of independent and private rail freight companies in the EU, ERFA is pleased to share its views on the proposal for a Regulation on the use of Railway Infrastructure Capacity in the Single European Railway Area.

The Swiss Federal Transport Office (BAV) generally welcomes the Regulation on the use of railway infrastructure capacity in the single European railway area COM(2023) 443/2 (Rail Capacity Regulation). The provisions contained in the draft text can in principle be implemented in Switzerland. We believe that coordinated capacity planning in international rail transport is crucial.

Filed in German · English published by the European Commission

The present Rail Infrastructure Capacity Regulation does not sufficiently take into account the impact that intensive use of rail can have on the surrounding environment, in particular because of the transport of (dangerous) goods.

Filed in Dutch · English published by the European Commission

The present Rail Infrastructure Capacity Regulation does not sufficiently take into account the impact that intensive use of rail can have on the surrounding environment, in particular because of the transport of (dangerous) goods.

Filed in Dutch · English published by the European Commission

IRG-Rail welcomes that the Proposal addresses domestic and cross-border traffic in a single approach, as an important step towards the creation of the SERA. RBs experience of the Rail Freight Corridors is that a separate allocation regime for cross-border traffic has not worked well.

The present Rail Infrastructure Capacity Regulation does not sufficiently take into account the impact that intensive use of rail can have on the surrounding environment, in particular because of the transport of (dangerous) goods.

Filed in Dutch · English published by the European Commission

In general, it can be stated that when travel and transport are needed, the use of efficient, crossborder rail transport have a great potential to contribute to desirable reductions in the climate impact of transports and at the same time strengthen Europe's and thereby also Sweden's economy and competitiveness in the world. This also applies to intermodal transport involving rail.

County planners and public transport authorities in the counties of Stockholm, Uppsala, Västmanland, Örebro, Sörmland, Östergötland and Gotland submit a joint reply to the proposal for a regulation on the use of railway infrastructure capacity in the Single European Railway Area through the MälardalsCouncil.

Filed in Swedish · English published by the European Commission

Industry supports the European Mobility Strategy’s goal of shifting to rail. At the same time, the European rail network is significantly overloaded in many sections and is used beyond its capacity limits: Overall, the demand for freight lines already exceeds the available nominal capacity. The heavily congested lines, e.g.

Filed in German · English published by the European Commission

On the whole, Europe on Rail - an initiative led by European Civil Society Organizations to reduce carbon emissions from international mobility - agrees with the content of this initiative. It establishes a good state of play on how to improve management and coordination of cross-border rail traffic in Europe.

The European Transport Workers’ Federation (ETF) represents around 700.000 railway workers from across Europe. We welcome the ambitious plans of the European Commission to increase the modal share of rail in passenger and freight transport. The workers of the sector have a comprehensive view on how European rail passenger and freight transport should be reshaped to better serve the general interest (see attached).

The Association for the Promotion of Public Transport (PTP) considers that there is an urgent need to establish a European regulation that will make it possible to eliminate the ‘frontier effect’ for rail transit between EU countries. We would like to draw attention to the case of the Iberian Peninsula, where direct rail freight and passenger transit are almost symbolic and far below transit by road or air.

Filed in Spanish · English published by the European Commission

Input to Call for evidence for the ongoing impact assessment on cross-border rail traffic – better management and coordination from Transportstyrelsen (Swedish Transport Agency, Swedish Regulatory Body for the railway market).

From the point of view of the European Passenger Federation, there are three essential elements to strengthen rail transport. 1/ "Internal" measures • Good and accessible infrastructure : track and other facilities, fair capacity allocation, affordable track access fees • Good service quality for passengers : integrated information and ticketing, service frequency (clockfaced timetables), punctuality, reliability…

UNIFE feedback to Cross-border rail traffic – better management and coordination initiative UNIFE - the association of the European rail supply industry - welcomes the European Commission (EC) decision to proactively work on a proposal aiming at a better management and coordination of cross-border rail traffic.

Ensuring a fair and transparent framework for the development of rail services across the European Union We wanted to bring to your attention our concerns on the development of rail services, as the sector is facing a double challenge: the opening to competition of the market and the digital transformation.

CLECAT, the European association representing the interest of freight forwarders and logistics service providers, welcomes the European Commission’s initiative on improving the management and coordination of cross-border rail traffic, in view of increasing rail freight’s modal share.

The Association of Private Railway Undertakings wishes to point out to the Commission the importance of international traffic in a country such as Spain which is at one end of the European continent and is highly dependent in its external trade on trade with the rest of Europe.

Filed in Spanish · English published by the European Commission

Austrian Federal Railways (ÖBB) welcomes the European Commission’s initiative to increase the share of rail traffic in international freight and passenger transport. Indeed, rail has a key role to play in making EU transport more efficient and sustainable, in line with the goals of the EU’s sustainable and smart mobility strategy.

The trade union vida welcomes efforts to strengthen climate-friendly rail transport. However, we are critical of the sole focus on international or high-speed services. In Europe, there is usually a so-called ‘mixed’ operation. This means that different traffic (freight and high-speed, regional trains) runs on the same infrastructure. This is done at different speeds.

Filed in German · English published by the European Commission

In our statement we focus on capacity management, in particular the planning philosophy and the early binding partitioning of capacities to the market segments according to the TTR principles. Capacity supply: The proposed initiative should lead to a higher part of rail in the modal split. However, capacity extensions of the railway infrastructure are time-consuming.

Trafikverket (The Swedish Transport Administration) believes that international travel and freight transport must be easily accessible at international level. It is the passenger or transport buyer who chooses the transport option. To make this possible, stakeholders in the rail industry must cooperate, coordinate and jointly strive to make the railway more accessible and attractive.

The Land of Berlin welcomes the initiative to improve the framework conditions for cross-border rail transport through better management and coordination. There is an urgent need to standardise the framework conditions in order to enable rail to compete with road, contribute to the modal shift and thus meet climate change objectives.

Filed in German · English published by the European Commission

On the whole, Europe on Rail - an initiative led by European Civil Society Organizations to reduce carbon emissions from international mobility - agrees with the content of this initiative. It establishes a good state of play on how to improve management and coordination of cross-border rail traffic in Europe.

We are in favour of a comprehensive modernisation and harmonisation of rules, procedures and tools for freight and passenger transport (Option 2, p. 4). On the basis of practice, it can be concluded that comprehensive modernisation and harmonisation is desirable for the management of railway capacity.

Filed in Slovak · English published by the European Commission

The Railways and Transport Union (EVG) welcomes the European Commission’s efforts to strengthen cross-border rail freight and passenger transport. However, we believe that the ALLY focus on cross-border and high-speed transport will not be sufficient and will not lead to the transport transition and the intended climate neutrality of transport in Europe.

Filed in German · English published by the European Commission

SNCF welcomes the call of evidence which initiates the discussion on updating the current framework as for international capacity and traffic management. Need to have a network approach A network approach should be implemented (unlike the current corridor approach), providing RUs with a single point of contact (C-OSS).

ERFA, as the voice of private and independent rail freight companies in the EU, welcomes the opportunity to contribute to the call for evidence for an impact assessment on cross-border rail traffic – better management and coordination. The European Commission is correct in acknowledging that cross-border freight services continue to face barriers limiting its competitiveness and attractiveness.

Good morning, with reference to the call for evidence expiring on 5 April, please conclude herewith with closed our preliminary contribution. A courtesy translation in English will follow shortly. Should you have any queries, please do not hesitate to contact us. Kind regards EU affairs and international relations Regulatory Authority for Transport Via Nice 230, 10126 Turin + 39 011.19212466

Filed in Italian · English published by the European Commission

Opinion of the UECC — UNION EUROPEAN INDUSTRIAL AND Chambers of Commerce for Mobility and Transport In our view, removing technical barriers, constraints and other barriers to international transport is one of the most important measures to promote rail freight and passenger transport. Inter alia, language barriers in cross-border transport need to be overcome.

Filed in German · English published by the European Commission

A key element for developing cross border rail services / long distance rail services is infrastructure capacity. In many cases a planned, a possibly commercially viable service, will be hindered by lack of access to necessary infrastructure capacity. A positive business case can be stopped even before it reaches the finale decision stages due this fact.

In view of the European Green Deal and the European Commission’s goal to reach climate-neutrality by 2050, efficient and optimized capacity management is key to ensure the modal shift to rail. Rail is the backbone of sustainable movement of goods, businesses and people, and fundamental for sustainable and connected economy in the EU.

FTE response to Call for Evidence on Cross-border rail traffic: Railway Undertakings (RUs) organised by FTE have been asking for a more market- oriented approach on Capacity Management. Having initiated TTR (Timetable Redesign), RUs in FTE welcome DG MOVEs approach to reflect on legal and non-legal adaptations to improve the market situation for rail.

The Bavarian State Ministry of Housing, Construction and Transport welcomes the initiative to increase rail transport by making better use of rail infrastructure and digitalisation opportunities. Cross-border capacity management is considered to be particularly important. Transport and emergency management as well as the integration of rail freight into multimodal logistics chains are also relevant.

Filed in German · English published by the European Commission

Panteia - input on boosting cross border rail Panteia, the long term EC TEN-T corridor advisor, in association with Ad Toet, recommends to develop the future centralized traffic management on sound analysis of the current traffic flows – to understand the effects on the total railway market of the ambitious growth of cross border traffic.

Option 1: Although this option provides a degree of continuity, the differences from the current state are not huge. Because of this, there may be difficulties achieving the objectives of this proposal in facilitating cross-border passenger and freight traffic.

Feedback by capacity allocation and Charging body AS “LatRailNet” (Latvia) 1. Revision of the existing regulatory framework for rail freight and passenger transport: The establishment of a one-stop-shop system would facilitate the access of Latvian carriers to the Lithuanian and Estonian transport markets and vice versa.

Filed in Latvian · English published by the European Commission

The Finnish Ministry of Transport and Communications appreciates the possibility to provide comments on the Commission consultation concerning the cross-border rail traffic. To begin with the Ministry of Transport and Communications would like to remind that because of the geographic location of Finland, there is no intra-EU international rail passenger traffic in Finland.

It is common ground that the future belongs to European rail transport, providing a sustainable, safe, comfortable and accessible way for goods and passengers to move between European countries. The environmental potential of rail is why it has such a central role in the EU’s trans-European transport network (TEN-T) policy. Its carbon dioxide emissions are many times lower than in other modes of transport.

Filed in Bulgarian · English published by the European Commission

Overall, we agree with the content of the call that cross-border rail traffic should be made more attractive for both freight and passenger transport, improving traffic volumes, competitiveness and permeability, thus contributing to the achievement of Europe’s climate goals.

Filed in Hungarian · English published by the European Commission

The opinion on the initiative of the Spanish Government Commissioner for the Mediterranean Corridor is as follows: Of the three proposed options, option 3 seems to be advisable, since either through a body at European level or through the European Commission itself, it is possible to achieve better coordination of timetables between operators in the different states and the coordination of routes along the…

Filed in Spanish · English published by the European Commission

Largely agreeing with the diagnosis provided with the initiative, UIRR would hereby express its preference for Option 2 with the following annotations: 1. Option 1 has been the path pursued for the past decade, and it has clearly failed. Member State (+sector)-driven initiatives did not deliver the desired results.