At the eve of the start of a new European Commission, the European association of rail infrastructure managers (EIM), presents its political priorities to the new EU and the sector.

EIM’s political priorities 2024-2029 support the European ambition to deliver a single, seamless and interconnected European Railway Area. Rail infrastructure managers confirm their ambition to remain a critical key enabler and to work with all EU bodies and stakeholders to achieve this common goal.

EIM calls on the EU to maintain rail at the centre of the mobility strategy for tomorrow and to ensure ambitious funding in line with the EU objectives as regards connectivity, TEN-T deployment, digitalisation, dual use, physical and digital resilience and the necessary investments in future technologies. EIM also supports the EU ambition to support the competitiveness of the European supply market as rail infrastructure managers rely on products and technologies which are harmonised but also sustainable, recyclable, energy-efficient and cyber-proof. Last but not least, EIM fully endorses the EU objectives to reinforce up-/skilling of the European workforce and suggests launching new EU initiatives for training of the rail-related work force.

Maria Luisa Dominguez, President of EIM states: “The single European railway area is unique and provides many opportunities and levers for all of us today and even more tomorrow. Therefore, EIM and its members underline the importance of providing rail infrastructure managers with strong levers during the next EU mandate 2024-2029 to help connect and innovate the SERA and to make it fit for the future. The Manifesto illustrates our ambition.”  

Monika Heiming, Executive Director of EIM states: “In the last two decades, rail infrastructure managers have invested in the repair, maintenance, upgrading and renewal of their assets, they have started to digitalise, to source in alternative energy sources and strive to make their networks more cyber- and weather resilient. Therefore, EU support for rail infrastructure is the lever for all of these investments and for the competitiveness of Europe.”

Read the full Manifesto here :