Towards Innotrans 2026 with the European train
Today, the 21st of September 2026, the European Train departed from Brussels for Berlin, bringing together colleagues, partners, stakeholders, representatives of the European Commission and journalists from across the European railway sector for a day of discussions, networking and exchange on the way to InnoTrans. AERRL was very proud to sponsor this Europe’s Rail initiative.
AERRL, ERFA, CER and EIM call for a simplified approach to ETCS System Compatibility Checks (ESC)
ESC tests continue to play an important role in verifying the technical compatibility between ETCS onboard equipment and trackside systems. However, their implementation currently differs significantly across Member States, resulting in unnecessary duplication, higher costs, longer authorisation timelines and reduced predictability for railway undertakings, rolling stock lessors and infrastructure managers.
In their joint position paper, the four organisations propose a set of practical measures to simplify the current framework while preserving safety and interoperability.
EU-ETS revision: a call to recognise rail’s contribution to decarbonisation
It is more crucial than ever to uphold the ‘polluter pays’ principle and ensure a level playing field.
Rail already bears the costs of the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS) through electricity and is already contributing to the reduction of carbon emissions for both freight and passengers.
The reform of the EU ETS should complete the logic of carbon pricing by channelling a fair share of EU ETS revenues back to the cleanest mode of transport: rail.
Investing EU ETS revenue in rail will accelerate decarbonisation, strengthen Europe’s competitiveness and contribute to achieving the EU’s climate, competitiveness and sustainable development objectives.
AERRL General Assembly meeting 2026: all members gathered in Rotterdam, 5 Directors elected
All AERRL members gathered in Rotterdam last week. As was the case last year, the Board of Directors was elected by the General Assembly on the basis of a rotation of one director in five, and the 2026–2027 strategy was discussed with in-house experts and new partners. Discover the AERRL annual activity report and the topics on the agenda by reading our last press release.
AERRL-ALLRAIL-ERFA on Military mobility : ready to engage !
AERRL, ALLRAIL and ERFA stand ready to engage constructively with the European institutions and relevant stakeholders to ensure that military mobility initiatives strengthen both Europe’s defence preparedness and the long-term resilience, interoperability and competitiveness of the rail sector.
Stakeholders across the European rail sector call on the European Institutions to ensure a successor to the Europe’s Rail Joint Undertaking
AERRL is proud to join 14 other European rail associations and organisations in developing a joint sector position paper, demonstrating the rail sector’s shared commitment to a strengthened Europe’s Rail Joint Undertaking.
Full support to the Czech initiative to strengthen rail freight
AERRL, together with CER, ERFA, UIP, UIRR and UNIFE, has issued a Joint Sector Statement in support of the initiative led by the Czech Republic – endorsed by Austria, Belgium and Slovakia – to strengthen European rail freight at national and European level.
Evolution of ERTMS governance needed to move deployment forward
As the ERTMS 2026 Conference kicks off in Valenciennes, AERRL joins forces with ALLRAIL and ERFA to send a clear message: the governance of ERTMS must evolve to accelerate deployment across Europe. We cannot afford to wait any longer. We support stronger EU coordination, an EU deployment manager and continued public private partnerships to unlock ERTMS full potential and ensure a truly interoperable rail system.
AERRL offers UNI its collaboration to avoid negative impact of its « Prassi di Riferimento »
Competences must be defined by ECMs through a risk-based approach.
EU-wide harmonisation is needed and mutual recognition enabling a genuine unified market.
Europe’s transport sector calls for stronger EU investment
The Association of European Rail Rolling Stock Lessors (AERRL) joins 44 other European transport organisations in calling on EU Member States and the EU to strengthen funding for the transport sector under the future EU budget.