ALLRAIL Welcomes the Official Publication of the EU Rail Capacity Management Regulation
ALLRAIL welcomes the official publication in the Official Journal of the European Union of the long-awaited Regulation on the use of railway infrastructure capacity in the Single European Railway Area.
For ALLRAIL and its members, access to rail capacity remains one of the most important market barriers facing new entrant operators. This is particularly true for operators seeking to launch new cross-border services, where divergent national rules, weak coordination between infrastructure managers, inconsistent priority rules and commercial conditions, and insufficiently predictable capacity rights have made investment unnecessarily difficult.
Nick Brooks, Secretary General of ALLRAIL, said:
“Today’s publication is a welcome step forward. But the real test starts now. If Europe wants more cross-border rail, more competition and more choice for passengers, then the implementation of this Regulation must fully reflect the needs of railway undertakings, applicants and new entrants.”
The new Regulation introduces several important structures and mechanisms, including the European Network of Infrastructure Managers, the European Railway Undertaking Platform, the European Network of Regulatory Bodies, the Performance Review Body and the Network Coordinator. If implemented properly, these bodies can help address many of the operational and regulatory barriers that currently prevent the development of a truly European rail market.
🚆 Capacity for new services
Transparent and predictable capacity rules are essential for new operators wishing to invest in national and cross-border passenger rail services.
🌍 A European rail market
Harmonised rules must help overcome fragmented national approaches and support the development of a genuine Single European Railway Area.
👥 Stronger stakeholder input
Railway undertakings, applicants and new entrants must be meaningfully involved in shaping the future European capacity framework.
However, the success of the Regulation will depend on how it is implemented. ALLRAIL therefore underlines the fundamental role of the European Railway Undertaking Platform and other operational stakeholders in shaping the future European Frameworks for Capacity Management.
Unless the structured and meaningful input of railway undertakings, applicants and other market participants is fully taken into account, the benefits of the Regulation risk being undermined. Harmonisation must not become a purely administrative exercise. It must lead to clear, practical and market-oriented rules that support new services, stronger competition and better use of Europe’s rail infrastructure.
Looking ahead to Timetable 2031, the sector now has a major responsibility to deliver. The publication of this Regulation is not the end of the process, but rather the end of the beginning. Europe now needs capacity rules that are transparent, predictable and fit for a competitive rail market — so that new operators can invest, cross-border rail can grow, and passengers can benefit from more choice, better services and a stronger European rail network.
Media enquiries: info@allrail.org