Rail is at the heart of Europe's priorities
Published: 15 December 2025
Updated: 17 December 2025
On Track with the Director
Over the past weeks, rail has been firmly in the spotlight of the European agenda, with the European Union Agency for Railways at the heart of several key initiatives. I am particularly proud to see ERA’s work and expertise reflected across major EU actions that will shape Europe’s mobility, security and sustainability in the years to come. This attention reflects a growing recognition of a long-standing reality: Europe’s rail system is a strategic asset, and a strong ERA is essential to unlock its full potential.
High-speed rail: turning ambition into delivery
The Commission’s plan to accelerate high-speed rail, presented on 5 November 2025, is both timely and ambitious. High-speed rail offers faster journeys, stronger connectivity, economic growth and a major contribution to Europe’s climate objectives. It is also a key asset of the Single Market, as highlighted in the Letta and Draghi reports.
ERA stands ready to support the delivery of this ambition. Interoperability, ERTMS, telematics and rail data have long been at the core of our mandate. By developing mature and harmonised technical specifications, removing redundant national rules, streamlining vehicle authorisations and improving access to high-quality data, we can help lower costs, enable cross-border services and unlock investment and innovation across Europe. The upcoming revision of the ERA Regulation will be an important enabler in this effort.
An evaluation that confirms ERA’s added value
On 7 November 2025, the Commission published its evaluation of ERA. Its conclusions are clear: the Agency is fit for purpose and delivers strong European added value. The evaluation recognises our contribution to safety, interoperability, cost reduction and innovation, as well as our central role in EU-level authorisation and certification processes.
It also acknowledges the growing pressure on resources linked to the ambitions of the Fourth Railway Package. This assessment provides a solid foundation for the planned revision of the ERA Regulation by 2026, with the aim of equipping the Agency to better support key EU priorities such as safety, digitalisation, interoperability and more efficient procedures.
Rail as a pillar of Europe’s security
The publication of the EU Military Mobility Package on 19 November 2025 further highlights the strategic importance of rail. Ensuring the swift and secure movement of military personnel and equipment across borders is essential for Europe’s resilience and defence.
ERA is ready to support the Commission in implementing the rail-related aspects of this package. This includes contributing to technical specifications, harmonising operational and safety rules, supporting dual-use vehicle authorisations and adapting existing registers and tools. Our long-standing work on removing cross-border obstacles in rail has clear and valuable dual-use benefits in this context.
Shaping the future mandate of ERA
Finally, the launch of the Call for Evidence on 5 December 2025 marks a key step towards revising ERA’s mandate. The consultation reflects evolving expectations: further streamlining authorisation processes, strengthening safety maturity, improving transparency and data sharing, and supporting innovation, digitalisation and rail modernisation.
It also recognises new geopolitical challenges, including EU enlargement, military mobility, resilience and the development of European specifications for dual-use rolling stock. I strongly encourage stakeholders and citizens to engage in this consultation, open until 27 February 2026. A clear and well-equipped mandate is essential for ERA to continue delivering for Europe.
Taken together, these developments send a strong message: rail is at the heart of Europe’s priorities. I am proud of ERA’s teams and of the trust placed in our expertise. We will continue to work closely with the European Commission, Member States, the sector and industry to deliver a safer, more interoperable, innovative and competitive European railway system.
This article was published as part of the On Track with the Director page, a personal window into the thoughts, insights, and takeaways of Oana Gherghinescu, Executive Director of ERA.