Over 40 experts representing rail freight organisations, including railway undertakings, wagon keepers and policymakers, came together on 7 October to discuss an overhaul of the General Contract of Use for Wagons (GCU). Ultimately, it could lead to changes to the foundation of the rail freight industry’s workings.
The European Rail Freight Association (ERFA) attended the discussion in Bern, Switzerland. ERFA says that GCU is 20 years old and overdue for reform. “It must reflect the business model and needs of RUs and keepers today”, the association writes on LinkedIn.
Without it, there would be no framework for traction providers to have externally owned freight wagons at their disposal, for instance. The entire European rail freight industry rests upon this framework with around 840 signatories.
Clearer roles, fair liability balance
Earlier, wagon keepers’ association UIP told RailFreight.com that a slightly higher contribution by signatories could enable establishing an arbitrage system, improve standardisation and improve efficiency.
ERFA adds to this that railway undertakings, wagon keepers and entities in charge of maintenance (ECMs) have to understand pre-departure checks the same way. Their roles should be defined better. Moreover, ERFA is concerned about how liability is organised: it says that railway undertakings currently carry the burden of proof too often when a wagon defect has occurred. Data could help resolve GCU’s shortcomings, the rail freight association believes.
A GCU overhaul is not on any particular policy agenda. It is just an idea that is being worked out. Later in 2026, the plan is to organise a big seminar to see what changes to GCU could look like in practice.