European rail executives met in Vienna to discuss solutions for rail resilience and funding needs. They aimed to strengthen the EU rail network, focusing on collaboration, innovation, and sustainability for future growth. This was reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.

European rail leaders
Credit: Community of European Railway and Infrastructure Companies

Key leaders from the Community of European Railway and Infrastructure Companies (CER) and European Rail Infrastructure Managers (EIM) participated. They attended the High-Level Infrastructure Meeting (HLIM) on 27 November 2024, hosted by ÖBB-Infrastruktur AG in Austria.

European rail leaders focus on collaboration and innovation to improve infrastructure

Climate resilience topped the agenda due to recent weather disruptions such as flooding and heavy rain across Europe. Discussions highlighted the necessity for better infrastructure to withstand these increasing challenges. Leaders also emphasized improved cybersecurity to counteract growing threats.

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Collaboration between European Infrastructure Managers (IMs) emerged as a vital factor in designing future-proof rail systems. Sharing expertise and best practices was underlined as a key strategy for addressing these challenges collectively.

Funding became a recurring topic, with leaders agreeing on its importance for completing critical projects. These include the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T) and connecting European capitals via high-speed rail.

Securing both EU and national funding remains essential for maintaining and upgrading rail infrastructure. Leaders stressed the need for a unified effort to bridge financial gaps and deliver planned improvements.

Alberto Mazzola, CER’s Executive Director, spoke on the importance of investing in resilience. He stressed the need for rail networks to be prepared for future challenges while improving connectivity across Europe.

Funding and resilience remain priorities for European rail leaders

Digitalisation and innovation were also highlighted as central to modernising the EU’s railway network. Leaders supported coordinated planning and funding to integrate new technologies into sustainable infrastructure projects.

The meeting concluded with a shared commitment to building a high-performing, sustainable, and secure rail network. Such efforts will benefit both European businesses and citizens, fostering long-term growth across the region.

Source: www.globalrailwayreview.com

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