On-Demand: EU’s COVID-19 relief measures for the rail sector

Despite the unprecedented financial loss railways across the world are suffering, the sector continues to provide a vital role in transporting passengers and goods. What can the EU do at this difficult time to support this struggling sector? European rail operators, infrastructure managers and suppliers are looking for clarity, certainty, and support on both urgent regulatory issues and the long-term legislative agenda to combat the financial crisis.

Areas of urgent consideration include extending the 16 June implementation deadline of the Fourth Railway Package, reducing charges, and prolonging the validity of licences and certifications. Long-term, rail transport’s environmental credentials could put the sector in a favourable position over other modes as the European Commission considers a recovery plan and the next 7-year budget framework for 2021-27.

In this insightful debate, we heard announcements from senior policymakers at the European Commission and the EU Agency for Railways (ERA), and the voices of business leaders representing Austrian Federal Railways (ÖBB) and Alstom.