Sector vision and policy priorities 2014-2019

Our vision is for a European rail sector that is:

• A competitive and viable first-choice transport mode in terms of price and service quality for both passengers and freight customers;

• The backbone of a seamless and integrated transport system – in close cooperation with the other transport modes;

• An enabling factor for the competitiveness of the European economy, supporting economic growth and job creation, and contributing to an inclusive society;

• Central to the delivery of Europe’s goals of cutting greenhouse gas emissions, achieving energy security, and relieving congestion.

Our commitment is to achieve a situation where:

• The rail sector places a premium on technological innovation and on new service models in areas such as ticketing, travel information, real-time information for customers;

• Europe’s railway companies emerge as leading providers of transport and logistics solutions across borders and across modes;

• Rail remains the greenest and the safest mode of transport.

Our plea to policy-makers is to ensure that:

• Rail infrastructure funding is solid, sufficient, and predictable;

• EU policies facilitate development, innovation, and growth – leaving companies in charge of choosing the best way to implement, and cities, regions, and Member States in the driving seat of public transport policy;

• A level playing field is created between transport modes – while supporting new infrastructure connections and new complementarities between the modes.