The governments of Germany, Austria and Switzerland said that their efforts in the context of deploying Digital Automatic Coupling (DAC) “are necessary, but not sufficient”. They are asking for the creation of an EU-wide funding mechanism, financial commitment from all Member States and strong foundations from the sector.
Germany, Austria and Switzerland are thus asking that the European Commission act as a “First Mover” by developing and adopting a financing scheme suitable for all players involved. To the other Member States and neighbouring countries, they are suggesting to “examine the political preparations for co-financing the DAC in parallel with the ongoing work”.
When it comes to the European rail freight sector, the three countries are advising rolling stock owners to prepare their vehicles to ensure a smooth installation. The sector, they said, should make sure that “DAC with important basic functions can be introduced step by step in accordance with the European DAC Delivery Program”.
A divisive topic
If, on the one hand, Germany, Austria and Switzerland are pushing for a quick DAC deployment, not everyone in the sector agrees. Already a year ago, associations from Poland, Czechia, Slovakia, Hungary and Germany voiced their concerns. Most agreed that the EU timetable, which envisions a large-scale DAC implementation by 2030, is very ambitious, to say the least. DAC was also a debated topic during the RailFreight Summit ‘24.
Michal Litwin, Board Member of the European Rail Freight Association, shared his perspective on the topic during the event in Warsaw a couple of weeks ago. Litwin mentioned that the deployment of DAC is going to cost billion of euros. According to him, these funds could be better allocated in, for example, infrastructure upgrades much needed throughout the continent. Some concerns were also raised by Petr Jindra, from the Czech association ZESNAD, who highlighted the lack of clarity about all the various DAC initiatives launched.
Also read:
- DAC: Digital Automatic Coupling or Digital Age Conundrum?
- Britain demonstrates affordable DAC alternative system
- Sector statement: ‘EU investments priority for DAC implementation’
