Within the framework of the Social Sectoral Dialogue on Railways, the Community of European Railway and Infrastructure Companies (CER) and the European Transport Workers’ Federation (ETF) have issued a joint statement emphasizing the pivotal role of rail freight in Europe’s transition to a sustainable and efficient transport system. That statement effectively highlights the importance of focusing on key areas to ensure the future success and competitiveness of rail freight in the EU. It also emphasizes the need for decision-makers to enhance the overall competitiveness framework by implementing specific measures.
1. Ensuring a Level Playing Field Between All Modes of Transport
Social partners emphasize the urgent need for the EU to close long-standing regulatory gaps that disadvantage rail freight compared to other transport modes. Despite rail’s environmental and efficiency advantages, current policies fail to create a level playing field, with road transport continuing to dominate. A fair competitive environment requires the full implementation of key legislation, including the Eurovignette Directive and the Fit for 55 package, ensuring that pricing reflects the true environmental and societal costs of each mode through the “polluter pays” and “user pays” principles. Addressing these imbalances is essential for safeguarding rail’s competitiveness and aligning with the EU’s climate and sustainability goals.
2. Long-Term Investment in Rail Freight
Stable, long-term public funding at both EU and Member State levels is crucial to modernizing rail freight and meeting future demand. Additional resources are needed to upgrade, maintain, and expand infrastructure, and modernize freight rolling stock, with financial stability key to retaining a skilled workforce. Increased support within the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) and Emissions Trading System revenues for rail decarbonization are essential.
3. Promoting Single Wagon Load and Combined Transport Operations
Single Wagon Load (SWL) and Combined Transport (CT) services are critical for maintaining efficient and sustainable freight operations across Europe. However, both face significant challenges due to market imbalances and a regulatory framework that does not sufficiently reflect their contribution to reducing external costs such as congestion, greenhouse gas emissions, air pollution, and accidents. Targeted financial support and adjusted state aid rules are necessary to maintain these essential services and help the EU meet its long-term sustainability, safety, and energy efficiency goals.
4. Digitalization for Efficiency of the Railway Sector
Accelerating the deployment of digital technologies is crucial to improving the competitiveness, efficiency, and safety of the rail freight sector. Key digital innovations such as the European Rail Traffic Management System (ERTMS) and Digital Automatic Coupling (DAC) have the potential to transform rail freight operations, enhancing capacity and interoperability across the EU. However, successful implementation requires coordinated investment and the involvement of the workforce including proper training and upskilling. The rollout of these technologies must be accompanied by systemic planning to ensure cost-effectiveness, maximize societal benefits, and avoid disruptions.
5. A Strong Railway Sector Cooperation
Greater cross-border cooperation and harmonization in rail capacity management are critical for the sector’s progress, alongside fostering competition. Fragmentation in procedures and technical standards across Member States continues to hamper the efficiency of rail freight operations. More consistent and streamlined capacity management practices across the EU are necessary to support cross-border services, interoperability, and a genuinely European rail freight network capable of supporting the EU’s climate neutrality and market integration goals.
CER Executive Director Alberto Mazzola said “Following CER’s Manifesto On Track for Europe, this document strengthens the case for a balanced framework to boost rail freight’s competitiveness within the EU. Our agreement with ETF highlights not only the success of social dialogue but equally our shared commitment to improving the conditions for rail freight to thrive”. ETF Secretary General Livia Spera said “Rail freight’s success relies on its workers. Social dialogue is crucial to ensuring fair wages, secure jobs, and safe working conditions. Investment in infrastructure must go hand in hand with investment in the workforce—sustainable transport cannot be built on precarious employment or cost-cutting at workers’ expense”. EU Social Dialogue Railway President Matthias Rohrmann said “Rail freight in Europe is undergoing a decisive transformation that will positively impact railway sector employees if the right track is chosen. To achieve the goals of the new EU Commission’s “Mobility at the Heart of Europe,” and to meet green transition and climate targets, it is crucial to set the right course at both European and national levels—now! The EU social dialogue, involving railways, unions, and employers, is actively supporting the rail freight sector and emphasizing key actions that need urgent implementation. Together, they are sending a positive signal for a sustainable transport transition, benefiting enterprises, railway undertakings, and employees alike” EU Social Dialogue Railway Vice President Giorgio Tuti said “Railway workers are essential to delivering a successful rail freight sector. To achieve a real modal shift, we need fair working conditions, secure jobs, and worker involvement in shaping the sector’s future. Without skilled, well-supported workers, investments in infrastructure and technology will not be enough to meet Europe’s climate and transport goals”.
CER Executive Director Alberto Mazzola said “Following CER’s Manifesto On Track for Europe, this document strengthens the case for a balanced framework to boost rail freight’s competitiveness within the EU. Our agreement with ETF highlights not only the success of social dialogue but equally our shared commitment to improving the conditions for rail freight to thrive”.
ETF Secretary General Livia Spera said “Rail freight’s success relies on its workers. Social dialogue is crucial to ensuring fair wages, secure jobs, and safe working conditions. Investment in infrastructure must go hand in hand with investment in the workforce—sustainable transport cannot be built on precarious employment or cost-cutting at workers’ expense”.
EU Social Dialogue Railway President Matthias Rohrmann said “Rail freight in Europe is undergoing a decisive transformation that will positively impact railway sector employees if the right track is chosen. To achieve the goals of the new EU Commission’s “Mobility at the Heart of Europe,” and to meet green transition and climate targets, it is crucial to set the right course at both European and national levels—now! The EU social dialogue, involving railways, unions, and employers, is actively supporting the rail freight sector and emphasizing key actions that need urgent implementation. Together, they are sending a positive signal for a sustainable transport transition, benefiting enterprises, railway undertakings, and employees alike”
EU Social Dialogue Railway Vice President Giorgio Tuti said “Railway workers are essential to delivering a successful rail freight sector. To achieve a real modal shift, we need fair working conditions, secure jobs, and worker involvement in shaping the sector’s future. Without skilled, well-supported workers, investments in infrastructure and technology will not be enough to meet Europe’s climate and transport goals”.