Brussels debates capacity management

An objective set out in Brussels this week has made moves to steer train travel towards a more digital, flexible and secure model.

On 24 October, together with the Forum Train Europe (FTE) and  European Rail Freight Association ERFA, the Alliance of Passenger Rail Entrants ALLRAIL has agreed a new common vision on how railway capacity management can move towards a system that is European, digital, flexible and secure.

For passenger rail to be able to meet the objectives set out in the EU Sustainable and Smart Mobility Strategy, it is essential that passenger rail operators must be able to book capacity which is in line with a customer orientated culture and allows for the flexibility to meet changing passenger needs.

The goal of rail infrastructure capacity management is to provide the necessary quantity and quality capacity for all traffic needs at the time when it is required by the passengers. The current capacity models are not meeting these needs of the market and in many cases remain strongly national in focus.

This is a major concern considering that, after 70 years of the Status Quo in the rail sector, just 4% of cross-border travellers are taking the train.

ALLRAIL believes that a common, European-wide process for capacity management, supported by the necessary legal framework at European Union level, is required.

ALLRAIL recognises progress being made by some national infrastructure managers, but it is critical that there is a common EU approach enshrined in legislation.

Although well intended, national initiatives may deviate from common processes at the cost of growing cross border rail.

• To see the Joint Position Paper on Market-Oriented International Rail Capacity Management, click this link.
• To see the new Joint Position Paper on Unified Processes in International Rail Capacity Management, click on this link.
• To see the new Joint Position Paper on Digitalisation & IT in International Rail Capacity Management, click on this link.

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