ERFA-European Rail Freight Association’s Post

  🚉 EU Transport Ministers throw a lifeline to rail freight! 👀   Rail freight has received strong backing from #EUTransportMinisters as they discussed Europe’s mobility of tomorrow at an informal meeting on 3 and 4 April in Brussels. Presided by the Belgian Presidency of the Council of the European Union 2024, the Ministers presented the #BrusselsDeclaration consisting of 20 points to guide the next EU legislative period with a clear recognition of rail freight’s important role for EU’s economy:   ▶Make the #modalshift towards rail transport a central objective of European mobility policy. ▶Make the development of #railfreight a #priority for the EU's internal market. ▶Prepare the necessary #RegulatoryChanges and make every effort to adopt them in order to improve the #competitiveness of rail transport. ▶ Ensure a #LevelPlayingField with other modes of transport.   The European Parliament’s decision in March 2024 to favour longer and heavier trucks in its position on the Weights & Dimensions Directive was a bitter pill to swallow for the rail freight sector as it puts at risk the modal shift and Green Deal objectives.   This Declaration outlines the crucial role of rail. It has to punch its weight in future policy making decisions! Full details 👉 https://lnkd.in/dibvqdYx Media material courtesy of Belgium Presidency  

The market share of rail freight in #Spain is currently at around 4 per cent. By 2030, the number should more than double and reach 10 per cent, as dictated by the European Union. However, these goals are still “light years away”, as the #Spanish Ministry of Transport #OscarPuente claimed. #railfreight #railfreightnews #railcargonews

⏱ Less than a month to the Transport Council⏱ Lots on the menu on 18 June but for the railway sector the capacity allocation is perhaps the most important. Together with ERFA-European Rail Freight Association we want the railway capacity management to move from a national, manual and rigid system to an international, digital and flexible system. Member States should adopt an ambitious approach to this Regulation moving closer to the original European Commission ideas. #railways #transport #logistics #railfreight

The Council of the European Union has adopted its negotiating position on a new piece of legislation to create more efficient rail structure in Europe. 🤔 The legislation seeks to improve cross-border cooperation and improve the planning and allocation process to ensure more reliable services. 🤝 However, several freight unions have challenged the legislation, stating that it does not go far enough to ensure a more integrated rail network on the continent. 🤨 In a joint statement, the unions argue that the legislation’s unbinding nature will not lead to the desired outcomes, and also question whether the EU has given up on its rail freight objectives. 😲 Read more about this unfolding debate here 👉 https://lnkd.in/ec2sq2hF Council of the European Union ERFA-European Rail Freight Association CLECAT European Shippers' Council International Union of Wagon Keepers (UIP) Georges Gilkinet #EuropeanUnion #EU #rail #railfreight #infrastructure #coordination #policy

The European Commission has approved a €1.7bn state aid scheme by Germany to support rail freight operators and promote the transition from road to rail transport. This initiative targets the high operational costs of single and group wagon transport, which involve complex logistics and lack economies of scale. The aid, disbursed as annual grants up to €320m, aims to mitigate the competitive disadvantages of rail freight. Similarly, the US sees growth in intermodal rail transport from West Coast ports, with BNSF and JB Hunt's 'Quantum intermodal service' increasing volumes and the proposed Barstow International Gateway project set to further boost intermodal prospects by easing port congestion and enhancing inland freight distribution. #logistics #3pl #railfreight #roadfreight

Five steps to boost Belgian rail freight https://bit.ly/4enBjHx

Rail Freight | Despite ongoing negotiations on the revision of the Combined Transport Directive in the Council, the Hungarian Presidency has reached an impasse. 👉 Proposed compromises have not garnered sufficient support, leading to a lack of consensus on the definition of combined transport and a weakening of key elements in the initial proposal. 👉 CER urges Member States within the Council to maintain an ambitious outlook for Combined Transport. 👉 The significant energy and external cost savings that intermodal transport provides make it a vital means of ensuring a well-functioning and sustainable single market. Read the press release 📝 https://lnkd.in/ejQBYsw5 #RailFreight #CombinedTransport #SingleMarket

The Rail Freight Group, which represents the industry in the #UK, has heard that #Scotland’s potential for growth could benefit the UK as a whole. Despite that good economic outlook, the #Scottish government has decided to suspend its #ModalShiftRevenueSupport scheme due to a strained budget. That, however, may not be the death-knell for the ambitions to see a significant increase in cross-border intermodal traffic. #railfreight #railfreightnews #railcargonews

Despite recent concerns, the #Italian government will not cancel a measure aimed at helping companies purchasing rail rolling stock. A total of 115 million euros, thus, will still be deployed to cover 20 per cent of the costs retroactively to 2021. #railfreight #railfreightnews #railcargonews

🚅 🚃 🚃 🚃 The Benefits of Devolving Railway Powers South Africa has the 14th most extensive railway network in the world, spanning 20 953 km, the longest in Africa and more extensive than countries like the UK, Italy, Spain and Turkey. A quick look at South Africa's railway system reveals a stark contrast between its potential and current state. Images of dilapidated stations have become a symbol of the urgent need for reform. The City of Cape Town has for years advocated for the devolving of railways to the local government. Effective and reliable rail services are vital for Cape Town's public transportation network. Local management of railways can tailor services to regional needs, ensuring efficiency and responsiveness. The City's Rail Feasibility Study highlights the potential benefits: an annual economic boost of R11 billion, savings of R932 million per year for lower-income families, and the sustenance of 51 000 jobs within the metro. Currently, the national Department of Transport and PRASA oversee (and unfortunately neglect) passenger railway services. However, the National Land Transport Act and the Constitution provide a framework for the devolution of these powers. Sections 99 and 156(4) of the Constitution, along with the Municipal Systems Act, enable the assignment of transport functions to municipalities, provided they have the capacity to manage them effectively. Devolving railway powers to Cape Town offers numerous benefits, including tailored solutions that meet community needs, increased accountability through direct oversight, and significant economic growth by boosting the local economy, creating jobs, and reducing transport costs for residents. For the national government, it provides a model for successful devolution for other metros, reduces administrative and financial burdens, and allows for enhanced public services by enabling national efforts to focus on broader strategic initiatives while local authorities manage operational efficiencies. Not to mention the fact that national government should always prefer the most effective option that best serves its citizens. The world’s leading city railways demonstrate the power of local or private operation. - Tokyo’s diverse network is managed by a combination of local and private operators, including Tokyo Metro and JR East. - Hong Kong’s efficient system is run by the MTR Corporation Limited, a city run public company. - Berlin’s S-Bahn is operated by S-Bahn Berlin GmbH, a local subsidiary of Deutsche Bahn. - In London, Transport for London (TfL) oversees the city's rail services through its directorate, Rail for London, also local. These examples show how localised management or private operation leads to superior rail service, which similar success Cape Town would achieve with devolved railway powers.