The European rail industry welcomes the Commission’s proposals to make the rail sector more efficient

UNIFE, the association of the European rail supply industry, welcomes the proposal of the European Commission for the Fourth Railway Package. UNIFE shares the Commission’s objectives of competitive rail transport in Europe and of the creation of a Single European Railway Area. In order to meet the targets of the Commission White Paper on Transport, the modal share of rail must increase and rail has to become the transport mode of choice in Europe. If implemented as proposed, the Fourth Railway Package will help achieve these objectives.

UNIFE attaches particular importance to more efficient authorisation procedures for railway equipment in Europe and describes the current situation as unacceptable: EUR 1.4 billion of capital is immobilised and tied up in cumbersome and slow authorisation procedures which can last up to 2 years for a single country certificate. Currently, the internal market for railway products is fragmented due to different national authorisation procedures.

UNIFE is pleased to see that the European Commission finally addresses this issue in the Fourth Railway Package. Authorisation for placing on the market of railway vehicles will soon be granted by the European Railway Agency which will hopefully lead to quicker and less costly authorisation procedures in Europe. A key element of the proposal is the idea that vehicles will receive an authorisation valid across Europe and based on which the Railway Undertaking will take the decision for placing vehicle into service. UNIFE supports this idea but it needs to be ensured that no further layer of bureaucracy will be added after the authorisation for placing on the market.

UNIFE also welcomes the proposals of the European Commission to strengthen the role of the European Railway Agency on issues other than authorisation. A stronger European Railway Agency is necessary for the promotion of ERTMS, the promotion of European railway standards abroad, and in the field of research.

“A Single European Railway Area requires a single European Railway Agency with strong competences”, said Philippe Citroen, Director General of UNIFE. UNIFE supports the Commission proposal and urges the European Commission to ensure that the European Railway Agency is appropriately staffed to handle the new and necessary tasks effectively.

The Fourth Railway Package can help make railway transport in Europe stronger and more competitive. An important element that would contribute to achieving the same objective and that would help Europe’s rail industry to defend its position of global leadership must also be addressed: research and development. Given the competitive pressure, it is necessary to invest heavily in rail research and development. UNIFE calls on the European Commission to support the European rail industry in their wish to enhance cooperative research and development.