There is a need for a step change in EU policies for the rail freight market. The underline European rail and rail industry associations intermodal European Rail Freight Association (ERFA) and International Union for Road-Rail Combined Transport (UIRR) and the Germany's Die Güterbahnen and the Dutch RailGood, which today presented a joint document in which they put forward proposals for the next parliamentary term of the European Parliament 2024-2029.

According to ERFA, UIRR, Die Güterbahnen and RailGood, so far the the EU's rail policy has been too weak to Enable growth in transport market share rail freight. The proposal of the four associations aimed at implementing a more sustainable European railway policy. is mainly focused on strengthening the inter- and intra-modal competition, on the prioritisation of financing for the railway sector and the adaptation of the railway infrastructure.

Regarding the competition aspect, ERFA, UIRR, Die Güterbahnen and RailGood point out that the continued position of the of the state railways in most countries hampers the modernisation and growth of the railways in an open market for transport systems. For associations, the European policy must actively promote fair competition between rail service providers and Member States must focus on their main task, which is to maintenance, adaptation and development of infrastructure Train. To enable growth, the four organizations call, in particular, for an improvement in the regulations Europe-wide technical standards and procedures simplified administrative procedures, but also fair market conditions for the tariff structures and control.

As far as transport funding is concerned, ERFA, UIRR, Die Güterbahnen and RailGood believe that it is necessary for the policy to you finally create the right conditions to achieve your goals climate and transport in the EU and - they underline - are therefore in favour of a coordination of funding flows to all modes of transport taking into account climate criteria and environmental benefits, as well as the abolition of aid and concessions which favour the transport of goods by road and which - highlight associations - they are harmful to the environment. In addition ERFA, UIRR, Die Güterbahnen and RailGood specify that the transfer of the transport of goods by road cannot Succeed without a strategy that provides incentives to the industry maritime transport sector.

With the aim of upgrading the infrastructure the four associations underline the need for that rail freight transport is conceived and developed in a European key, given that one in two freight trains crosses at least one national border. To this end, ERFA, UIRR, Die Güterbahnen and RailGood have reiterated their support for the introduction of a acceleration of the ERTMS/ETCS management system at European level, control and protection of rail traffic, but call for much simpler approval procedures and a harmonised funding system. The request is also to make border crossing points, to provide improvements to reduce rail and rail transport noise create a 'green' energy strategy for the railway traction.