Position Paper: The new CEF

To meet the European Green Deal targets and ensure modal shift to more sustainable transport modes, more needs to be done. With ambitious goals for emissions reduction and digital innovation, the rail sector calls for a more ambitious Multi-annual Financial Framework (MFF) and a €100 billion co-funding in the upcoming Connecting Europe Facility (CEF).

With the current joint position paper, UITP together with CER, EIM, UNIFE, AERRL and UIP set the investment priorities to realise the Single European Railway Area including the TEN-T and to ensure that the transport system as a whole efficiently supports EU’s economic growth.

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• Support digital transformation with technologies like ERTMS, Digital Capacity Management (DCM), and Digital Automatic Coupling (DAC).
• Ensure urban rail networks connect cities, airports, and key hubs seamlessly.
• Promote resilient and climate-friendly infrastructure to withstand extreme weather and ageing systems.

The European Commission plans a simplified, policy-based MFF for 2025. The rail sector supports a centrally-managed CEF to fund high-quality transport projects which are essential for the completion of the TEN-T network.

A new Europe’s Rail Joint Undertaking (ERJU) under the next MFF is essential to drive innovation and deployment of rail technologies. Increased funding through Horizon Europe will enhance rail competitiveness.

The CEF should prioritise EU-based companies to boost jobs and ensure fair competition in rail procurement.

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