The European Union is introducing a new regulation that profoundly reforms the way European rail capacity is managed, with the aim of increasing the efficiency of existing infrastructure use and supporting the development of passenger and freight rail transport. The initiative comes amid growing pressure on the European rail network, where increased traffic and fragmented national rules have created coordination challenges, particularly on cross-border routes.

The central objective of the new regulation is to introduce a harmonized EU-wide approach to the planning, allocation, and monitoring of rail capacity. Through this change, the European Commission aims to improve punctuality, increase the reliability of services, and facilitate the international movement of trains, for both passengers and freight. At the same time, the regulation addresses the need to more effectively match growing demand with existing infrastructure, in a context where network expansion cannot always keep pace with traffic growth.

A key element of the reform is the creation of a unified institutional framework based on two key structures: the European Network of Infrastructure Managers (ENIM) and the European Railway Platform (ERP). ENIM will be responsible for developing common tools, standardized methodologies, and harmonized procedures for capacity management, while the ERP will serve as a consultation mechanism between industry stakeholders and European decision-makers.

By December 12, 2027, ENIM will finalize the single European framework for railway capacity management, which will introduce common rules for planning and allocation, supported by digital tools designed to ensure more efficient network coordination. Subsequently, by April 2028, a separate framework dedicated to the coordination of cross-border traffic, the management of disruptions, and crisis situations will also be adopted, featuring harmonized procedures and methodologies for cooperation among infrastructure managers, operators, and other industry stakeholders, in close coordination with the work of Europe’s Rail Joint Undertaking.

In applying these rules, infrastructure managers will be required to give them priority consideration in network planning and operations, and any deviation must be justified in the network’s official documents.

The European Commission will have the authority to intervene through implementing acts in situations where ENIM fails to adopt the European frameworks on rail capacity management, cross-border traffic coordination, or performance assessment by the established deadlines (December 2027, April 2028, and August 2028).

The Commission may adopt, within 18 months of the scheduled date of adoption, the rules necessary to ensure the functioning of these frameworks at the European level.

This framework will be applied by infrastructure managers in the Member States, who will be required to take it into account to the greatest extent possible.

At the same time, the adoption process is subject to an assessment by the European Network of Railway Regulatory Bodies (ENRRB), which may issue recommendations prior to the document’s final adoption. This governance structure introduces a system of checks and balances designed to ensure consistency at the European level.

The Regulation introduces clear rules on operational planning and rail traffic management, with an emphasis on cross-border coordination and the ability to respond to disruptions. Infrastructure managers will be required to implement ongoing contingency plans, which include alternative routes, traffic rerouting procedures, and rapid information-sharing mechanisms among all relevant stakeholders.

These measures aim to maintain service continuity and reduce the impact of incidents on the network, particularly on international corridors. In addition, in congested areas, detailed capacity analyses will be conducted to identify bottlenecks and establish short-, medium-, and long-term optimization measures, ranging from rescheduling traffic to modernizing infrastructure.

The new legislative framework establishes mandatory principles for capacity allocation: transparency, fairness, and non-discriminatory access for all rail operators. At the same time, limited exceptions are provided for in cases related to public security or national defense, with the obligation to notify the European Commission and regulatory bodies.

To ensure the system’s efficient operation, the regulation also introduces a monitoring mechanism through the Advisory Performance Panel, which will periodically assess the implementation and impact of the new rules. If deficiencies are identified, ENIM will be required to update the framework promptly, and the European Commission will be able to intervene through implementing acts when necessary.

Essentially, the reform aims to increase the efficiency of European rail capacity through integrated, digitized, and multi-year planning. Beyond harmonizing the rules, the strategic objective is to make better use of existing infrastructure and support the growth of rail transport in Europe. However, the European institutions emphasize that the successful implementation of this framework will require additional investments in infrastructure, digitalization, and the removal of structural bottlenecks to meet the growing demand for rail mobility.