• Objective
The Platform of Rail Infrastructure Managers in Europe (PRIME) was created in 2013 to facilitate the exchange of views, knowledge and best practices between Infrastructure Managers (IMs) and the European Commission. PRIME focuses on key matters concerning the implementation of the Single European Rail Area, including the deployment of European Rail Traffic Management System (ERTMS).
PRIME plenary meetings take place twice per year, while different subgroups meet regularly to discuss and make proposals on dedicated topics, such as digitalisation, charges, financing, KPIs and benchmarking, implementing acts and safety culture. In addition, a PRIME Commission Expert Group provides expertise to the European Commission (DG MOVE) when preparing relevant implementing legal measures in the rail sector.
• Involvement of Infrastructure Managers
PRIME is a high-level forum where European decisions makers and CEOs of IMs meet to discuss a variety of topics with a strategic impact for the development of the European rail systems. Through PRIME, IMs can exchange and influence the European legislation to ensure that their interests and vision are taken into account.
Opportunities
• PRIME offers a unique platform for an open discussion with the European Commission on key strategic topics;
• Further institutionalisation of the role of IMs on EU level.
• Not all rail infrastructure managers participate in PRIME.
Challenges
• All EIM members actively participate in PRIME;
• EIM acts as an observer of the platform;
• EIM and its members foster and advocate an open, constructive and transparent dialogue between all infrastructure managers and the EU.