On 23 February 2026, the European ERTMS Coordinator has published the Third Work Plan on the deployment of the European Rail Traffic Management System (ERTMS) across EU Member States.
On 23 February 2026, the European ERTMS Coordinator has published the Third Work Plan on the deployment of the European Rail Traffic Management System (ERTMS) across EU Member States. While steady progress and renewed political commitment are acknowledged, deployment remains uneven and risks falling short of the targets set in the TEN-T Regulation.
By the end of 2024, the European Train Control System (ETCS) had been deployed on around 10% (12,400 km) of the TEN-T network and installed on approximately 19% of the EU railway fleet (8,730 vehicles). European ERTMS Coordinator Matthias Ruete stresses the need to move towards industrial-scale deployment, supported by stronger governance, stable and sufficient financing, and a coordinated, long-term network approach – particularly along cross-border sections.
ERTMS is central to enhancing safety, capacity and interoperability by harmonising signalling and communication systems across Europe. Under the TEN-T Regulation, ERTMS must be deployed on the Core Network by 2030, and progressively extended to the wider network by 2040 and 2050. Easy cross-border operations play an essential role in realising the SERA; this can be facilitated by strengthened ERTMS governance at EU level aimed at supporting more coherent and coordinated deployment.
“Since 2022, ERTMS has been subject to numerous developments. Political, legal, technological and financial parameters have changed and reinforced the willingness and obligation to deploy ERTMS as the single European signalling system. There is now broad political support for the roll-out in the European Parliament, among EU transport ministers and among the relevant rail stakeholders at the European level. The debate is no longer about the ‘if’, but the ‘how’ and ‘when’ ERTMS should be deployed.”
“ERTMS is the key driver for rail safety and capacity in the EU rail system. As system authority, ERA is committed to supporting an accelerated cross-border deployment, through stronger harmonisation, standardisation and stability of specifications and rules. Accelerating ERTMS implementation is essential to deliver a reliable and competitive European railway network.”
The findings of the Third Work Plan will take centre stage at the upcoming ERA ERTMS 2026 Conference 21-23 April in Valenciennes, bringing together representatives from EU institutions, Member States, infrastructure managers, railway undertakings, supply industry and sector organisations.
The conference will provide a unique platform to exchange on practical solutions, share deployment experiences, discuss financing and governance challenges, and identify concrete steps to accelerate implementation across Europe. At a pivotal moment for the sector, it will be an opportunity to strengthen cooperation, build momentum and reaffirm a shared commitment to a seamless European rail network.
Registrations are now open, and stakeholders across the rail community are warmly encouraged to take part in shaping the next phase of ERTMS deployment.