OpenLobby.EU
Explore

European Rail Freight Association asbl

ERFA

ERFA (European Rail Freight Association) was set up with the 1st Railway Package in Brussels in July 2002 to represent the interests of the new independent and private ‘open access’ rail freight operators.

Lobbying Activity

Response to Evaluation of the rail freight network

28 Mar 2019

ERFA welcomes the Evaluation Roadmap regarding the Rail Freight Corridors. ERFA is ready to collaborate with the Commission in order to assess the current situation, telling what is good and what is less good. The most suitable way to assess is a methodology largely based on case studies, with detailed description of the whole process of path reservation and running of train through the story of different trains. We would be delighted to have the opportunity to describe the problems existing “on the ground” through this kind of approach. For example: > Train path availability and booking process > Coordination of works > Cross border train operations: lack of coordination and communication > Cross border disruption management > Infrastructure bottlenecks that are specific for rail freight traffic >Specific infrastructure needs for freight traffic such as parking lines (needed in case of disruption of congestion) or flexible train paths in the terminal areas > Costs to be compensated in case of TCR and unplanned disturbances > Lack of standardisation of language and technical requirements >Lack of published data on the capability of the corridor (axle weights, loading gauge, speeds, etc.) We think that the final purpose of the evaluation process should be the elaboration of proposals able to introduce all the acceptable measures generators of operational progress, which remains the weakness of the Rail Freight Corridors. We regret that just a small percentage of capacity is dedicated to the PaPs. The attractive stretches are often overbooked. Harmonised capacity, safeguarded capacity, Flex PaPs and one ordering-tool would improve the use of PaPs concept. Rail freight should be on the same level of rail passenger transport. Regarding the quantitative aspects we think that environmental indicators like the volume of saved CO2 on each corridor should also be taken into consideration. It would be interesting to know if the current managers of the corridor are able to provide this information. The volume of non-saved CO2 emissions due to the missing links and due to unfavourable priority rules are also interesting data. We hope very much that this assessment will lead to harmonisation with operational improvement in the day to day business.
Read full response

Meeting with Dunja Perko (Cabinet of Commissioner Violeta Bulc), Jocelyn Fajardo (Cabinet of Commissioner Violeta Bulc)

5 Sept 2017 · Meeting ALLRAIL

Meeting with Dunja Perko (Cabinet of Commissioner Violeta Bulc)

5 Sept 2017 · Meeting with ALLRAIL President M. Forster

Response to Schedule for the rail infrastructure capacity allocation process

14 Apr 2017

ERFA would like to thank the European Commission for the opportunity to comment on the draft delegated act on “Schedule for the allocation process”, replacing Annex VII to Directive 2012/34/EU. ERFA is convinced that an EU framework for timetabling and coordination of infrastructure works is highly needed to improve the performance and the reliability of rail operations in Europe. By definition, to be competitive and attractive, rail freight operators must be able to provide flexible and reliable products, continually reacting to changing business demand. Hence dynamic and responsive timetabling processes as well as a reliable and effective planning of works, aiming at minimising disruptions, are the two cornerstones to make rail an attractive option for customers. Therefore, we welcome and fully support the EC’s intentions to address those challenges in the draft delegated act. Please find attached ERFA's answers to the public consultation.
Read full response

Meeting with Henrik Hololei (Director-General Mobility and Transport)

15 Mar 2016 · Rail Freight Rights

Meeting with Henrik Hololei (Director-General Mobility and Transport)

4 Dec 2015 · 4th railway package, performance of rail freight corridors

Meeting with Soren Schonberg (Cabinet of Commissioner Margrethe Vestager)

14 Jul 2015 · European Railway Market

Meeting with Violeta Bulc (Commissioner) and

24 Mar 2015 · Delivering a speech

Meeting with Violeta Bulc (Commissioner)

11 Dec 2014 · Meeting with ERFA