ECMT Round Tables European Integration of Rail Freight Transport

Europe’s rail-freight market is undergoing sweeping change. While an expanding long-distance export market is favourable to rail transport, railways have been steadily losing market share to road hauliers. The reasons for this are numerous and range from a sub-standard quality of service, lack of sophisticated computer technology and transport logistics, and a shortage of commercial know-how.

As rail networks open up to competition, new rail firms are springing up. Will the current operators keep pace with change or are they threatened with extinction? Are new firms going to be commercially viable in areas in which traditional operators have always failed?

The Round Table attempted to answer these questions by taking a look at how the European railway landscape is being reshaped. In doing so, it learned lessons which stand to benefit transport policy throughout Europe.