Policy - VibeWire Magazine

ERFA spreads the rail freight message in Dutch parliament

Guest authors
June 6, 2025
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When politicians talk about rail, you can usually be sure that they are talking about passenger trains. For that reason, an invitation to attend a…

EU industry proposes +FIRRST system to improve ‘stagnant rail freight’

Marco Raimondi
June 3, 2025
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A group of European industry players are launching the +FIRRST system to improve intermodality over the next few years. The initiative, led by FERRMED, brings…

UK union weighs in with freight campaign

Simon Walton
May 27, 2025
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Rail union ASLEF has launched a new campaign, “Rail Freight Future”, as the UK network begins the process of gradual nationalisation. The train drivers’ union…

SNCF chief wants to tax foreign trucks to fund rail development

Guest authors
May 27, 2025
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The president of SNCF Jean-Pierre Farandou called for the French government to consider a tax on international road haulage to fund transport infrastructure and the…

Netherlands says yes to 740-metre trains, no to lower track access charges

Guest authors
May 20, 2025
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A win and a loss for rail freight in the Netherlands. The Dutch parliament held a vote on Monday 19 May on two proposals to…

UK rail accident investigators dealt with almost 500 issues in 2024

Simon Walton
May 20, 2025
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Britain’s Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) has published its annual report, showing a year of significant operational activity, despite mounting internal and industry-wide pressures. The…

Bulgaria is revolutionising its rail safety regulations

Marco Raimondi
May 14, 2025
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Bulgaria is in dire need of new and improved rail safety regulations, especially after an accident that killed two and injured six in January. The…

This is how Switzerland will fund deployment of Digital Automatic Coupling

Marco Raimondi
May 9, 2025
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Switzerland is one of the countries in the forefront when it comes to the implementaion of Digital Automatic Coupling (DAC). In a recently published document,…

How can the EU fix the issue of track access charges without binding regulations?

Marco Raimondi
May 8, 2025
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The European Commission (EC) adopted new guidelines on how to set up track access charges (TAC), a burdensome aspect for rail freight in many member…

Minimum age for train drivers lowered to 18

Guest authors
May 7, 2025
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Eighteen-year-olds will now be allowed to drive trains now that the Government has lowered the minimum age from 20 in a bid to tackle driver shortages. Thousands of jobs and apprenticeships will be made available to those between 18 and 20 years old as early as December, offering skilled roles, valuable experience, and long-term career […]