Two weeks ago, leading rail sector officials in Europe and the USA announced the formation of a Multinational “Support Ukraine Rail Task Force”, in partnership with Ukrainian Railways “Ukrzaliznytsia” (UZ)¹, the Ukrainian Ministry of Infrastructure² and the Ukrainian Cabinet³. The aim is to coordinate technical, mechanical, and policy support for Ukrainian citizens and the rail sector.

A truly multinational initiative, the Task Force is chaired by Jolene Molitoris, former Administrator of the United States Federal Railroad Administration, with strong involvement from European stakeholders as well.

This week, EIM⁴ has joined the new Task Force as an observer. EIM is a non-profit association, representing the interests of European rail infrastructure managers in Europe, in particular vis à vis the EU institutions.

ALLRAIL’s Secretary General Nick Brooks confirms that “the Task Force is unique and complementary to any other initiative. It aims for concrete measures to address the consequences of the invasion of Ukraine by Russia. The time has come to move from theory to action. Rail infrastructure managers are important actors in this regard.”

EIM’s Executive Director Monika Heiming states that “the Task Force brings together different railway actors with the clear ambition to help. Rail infrastructure management is even more critical in these times, triggering EIM to join the Task Force.”

1 https://www.uz.gov.ua/en/press_center/up_to_date_topic/579586/
2 https://fakty.com.ua/ua/ukraine/suspilstvo/20220325-do-organizacziyi-roboty-uz-zaluchat-predstavnykiv-zaliznycz-yes-ta-ssha-ministr-infrastruktury/?__cf_chl_tk=oLS9wcUBKPm.dGLrzbwCFMFhxevD9QvMIKKnKUFc3rw-1648723206-0-gaNycGzNCZE
3 https://www.kmu.gov.ua/news/25-bereznya-situaciya-v-transportnij-infrastrukturi-stanom-na-1200
4 https://eimrail.org/