Progress on safety and interoperability: a checkpoint, not a finish line

Every edition of the Report on Railway Safety and Interoperability in the EU provides an opportunity to take a step back and look honestly at where the European railway system stands. For me, this report is not the end of a story. It is a checkpoint. 

Three questions came to mind as I reflected on this year's findings. 

First, are we becoming safer? 

The data tells us that we are. European railways remain among the safest in the world, and both significant accidents and fatalities have decreased over the long term. But safety is never something we can take for granted. We can be proud of the overall safety performance, yet the data remind us that there is no room for complacency. The report records nearly 30 railway worker fatalities per year - each one a human tragedy that calls for renewed commitment. In a controlled environment such as rail, the expectation should be that people go to work and come home safely; this report underlines the need to translate that expectation into measurable ambition and action. We explicitly acknowledge the Adamuz (Spain) accident and the grief it has caused: even when an event falls close to or outside the strict reporting window for this report, its human impact and the lessons it offers must inform our immediate and longer‑term responses. 

Second, are we becoming more interoperable? 

Again, the answer is yes, but only up to a point. We have made real progress in aligning rules, authorising vehicles and advancing ERTMS deployment. Yet from the perspective of passengers and freight operators, cross-border rail services still face too many obstacles. Interoperability is not simply a technical objective. It is about reducing complexity, avoiding unnecessary duplication and making rail more efficient and cost-effective across Europe. Too often, however, interoperability still stops at the border. 

The final question is perhaps the most important: are we moving fast enough? 

Expectations towards rail continue to grow. Europe is looking to rail to support climate goals, strengthen resilience, improve connectivity and offer attractive mobility solutions for both passengers and freight. Progress is real, but the pace of change does not always match the level of ambition. Technical tools, regulatory clarity and improved data are necessary but not sufficient. We must pair them with clear objectives, measurable targets and a culture that values every life and every user of the network. This report aims to be both evidence based, and purpose driven: to inform decisions, to support harmonised action across Member States and stakeholders, and to keep the human consequences of our choices clearly in view. 

I invite all stakeholders to engage with the data and analysis in this report, to share their experience, and to join us in shaping a railway system that is safer, more interoperable, more resilient and more effective for people across Europe (you can also watch the webinar we organised to accompany the publication of this report).

This article is part of On Track with the Director, offering a personal window into the thoughts, insights and experiences of Oana Gherghinescu, Executive Director of ERA.