UNIFE, CER, EIM and UIP Call for New Rail Joint Undertaking

Europe's leading railway organisations are urging the European Commission not to let one of the continent's biggest rail innovation programmes come to an end.

In a joint appeal, UNIFE, CER, EIM and UIP are calling for a successor to Europe's Rail Joint Undertaking, saying that continued investment is essential if Europe wants to stay competitive in railway technology and accelerate the rollout of next-generation digital systems.

Supporting Europe's Key Rail Technologies

According to the four organisations, Europe's Rail Joint Undertaking plays a central role in developing and deploying critical railway technologies, including FRMCS, Digital Automatic Coupling (DAC) and ERTMS®.

The organisations say that continued investment is essential if Europe is to modernise and digitalise its railway network, strengthen its industrial competitiveness and meet climate, mobility and military transport objectives. They also warn that European rail manufacturers are competing against heavily subsidised global competitors, particularly from China, making long-term research support increasingly important.

The joint letter states that discontinuing the Europe's Rail Joint Undertaking would have significant consequences for the sector. According to the signatories, ending the programme would fragment European railway research, slow the deployment of common technical solutions, weaken Europe's industrial base and increase both the cost and duration of rail transformation projects across the continent.

EU Budget Talks Continue Throughout 2026

Negotiations on the next EU budget are expected to continue throughout 2026, while decisions on future European research programmes are scheduled to be announced later this year. UNIFE Director General Enno Wiebe said that a dedicated rail partnership remains essential for Europe's future: "A dedicated Railway Joint Undertaking is essential to maintain Europe's technological leadership, competitiveness and industrial strength. Continuing it will support jobs, exports and Europe's strategic autonomy by keeping railway innovation and manufacturing in Europe."

He added that the programme provides long-term investment in railway innovation, brings together stakeholders from across the European rail sector and helps accelerate the deployment of technologies such as FRMCS, DAC and ERTMS.

_{Source: UNIFE}