Today, the EIM Technical Steering Group (TSG) elected as Chair Francisco José Contreras Martinez from the International Department at the Spanish rail Infrastructure Manager ADIF. He succeeds to Caroline Huusko, Manager railway and road components as well as technical regulation and standardisation of Trafikverket.

EIM Executive Director Monika Heiming states: “I highly welcome the appointment of Francisco Contreras, given his long-term experience both within ADIF, EIM and the EU. I am confident that his long-term experience with EU technical legislation and railway projects will be a high added value for EIM. I also would like to thank the outgoing chair, Caroline Huusko from Trafikverket. She has shown remarkable commitment to EIM and has been instrumental in leveraging the work of EIM”.

Francisco José Contreras Martinez complements: “I thank EIM and the TSG for the confidence. I am keen to contribute to making rail infrastructure more efficient, sustainable, resilient and safe. After the preparation of the TSIs 2022 package, new challenges – e.g. digitalisation, cybersecurity and innovation – need to be addressed. They require joint solutions, which I am keen to develop in a collaborative manner with the TSG and the EIM secretariat.”  

The TSG coordinates the contribution of the members in the technical field, to the European Union Agency for Railways and its working parties. The TSG also provides strategic input to EIM on specific technical matters. The TSG elects a chair from among its members for a period of 2 years who acts as the main contact of the EIM secretariat with the TSG.