The ERTMS 2026 Conference is about to start! We, the European associations representing rail rolling stock lessors (AERRL), private and independent rail freight operators (ERFA) and independent railway companies (ALLRAIL) see this as the perfect opportunity, the right place and time to discuss the evolution of ERTMS governance and deployment. Central coordination and sufficient human resources at EU level, together with a stronger dialogue among manufacturers, ERTMS users and infrastructure managers (IMs) are indispensable to keep the promises of ERTMS deployment alive. Let’s kick-off this discussion in Valenciennes!
More than three decades after its launch, ERTMS deployment is still advancing at a very slow pace, with only 17% of the TEN-T Core Network currently equipped together with only 19% of the existing fleet, according to the most recent figures gathered in the Third ERTMS Work Plan. Furthermore, once the deployment occurs, ERTMS users still face a complex environment created by instable specifications, divergences at national level and a weak business case.
We cannot wait any longer for Member States to coordinate with their neighbours on their own, for technical harmonisation to happen by itself every time there is a new specification, and for IMs to carefully listen to ERTMS users without strong monitoring, guidance and support at EU level.
That’s why AERRL, ALLRAIL, and ERFA endorse the recommendations made by the ERTMS Coordinator Matthias Ruete in his Work Plan: (....)