Europe’s rail sector has joined forces to call on the European Commission to support and invest in a follow-up program to Europe’s Rail Joint Undertaking
UNIFE, European Rail Infrastructure Managers (EIM), Community of European Railways and Infrastructure Companies (CER), and International Union of Wagon Keepers (UIP) have addressed senior European Commissioners in a letter, which calls on the EU to support and invest in the creation of a new public-private rail partnership in the next phase of EU Budget negotiations.
Europe’s Rail Joint Undertaking is essential to deploying key technologies such as FRMCS, DAC, and ERTMS, and to supporting European companies in competing with heavily subsidised global competitors.
Europe has to modernise and digitalise its railway network whilst accelerating the deployment of technologies. This objective is not optional; if Europe is to remain competitive while meeting its climate and mobility goals, improvements are critical.
By discontinuing the Rail Joint Undertaking, European research efforts would be fragmented, the deployment of common solutions would be slowed, Europe’s industrial base would weaken, and the cost and duration of railway transformation would increase.
EU budget negotiations will continue throughout 2026, with the announcement of future European research programs to occur later in the year.
UNIFE director general Enno Wiebe said, “A dedicated Railway Joint Undertaking is essential to maintain Europe’s technological leadership, competitiveness and industrial strength. Continuing will support jobs, exports and Europe’s strategic autonomy by keeping railway innovation and manufacturing in Europe.”
“It is important because it provides long-term investment in rail innovation and technology, and brings the entire European rail sector together to develop common solutions and standards. With it, we can accelerate the deployment of key technologies such as FRMCS, DAC, ERTMS.”
