Rail transport is a means of transport that transfers passengers and goods on wheeled vehicles running on rails, which are incorporated in tracks. In contrast to road transport, where the vehicles run on a prepared flat surface, rail vehicles are directionally guided by the tracks on which they run. Tracks usually consist of steel rails.
Switzerland has a dense network of roads and railways. The Swiss public transport network has a total length of 24,500 kilometers and has more than 2600 stations and stops.
Transport in the United Kingdom is highly facilitated by road, rail, air and water networks. Transport is a devolved matter with each of the countries of the United Kingdom having separate systems under separate governments.
The privatisation of British Rail was the process by which ownership and operation of the railways of Great Britain passed from government control into private hands. Begun in 1994, it had been completed by 1997. The deregulation of the industry was initiated by EU Directive 91/440 in 1991, which aimed to create a more efficient rail network by creating greater competition.
The American Public Transportation Association (APTA) is a nonprofit group of approximately 1,500 public and private sector member organizations that promotes and advocates for the interests of the public transportation industry in the United States.
The International Association of Public Transport is a non-profit member-led organisation for public transport authorities, networks and operators, policy decision-makers, scientific institutes and the public transport supply and service industry, that works to advance sustainable urban mobility.
The European Metalworkers' Federation (EMF), founded in 1971, is a federation of 68 metalworkers' unions from 31 countries, representing a combined total of 6.5 million affiliates. It is based in Brussels, Belgium, the general secretary is Ulrich Eckelman and Bart Samyn is the Deputy General Secretary. The organisation was dissolved on 15 May 2012, to become a part - together with EMCEF and ETUF-TCL - of the newly created organisation industriAll European Trade Union on 16 May 2012
Railways of the Slovak Republic is the state-owned railway infrastructure company of Slovakia.
Rail transport in Europe is characterized by the diversity of technological standards, operating concepts, and infrastructures. Common features are the widespread deployment of standard-gauge rail, high operational safety and a high share of electrification. Electrified railway networks operate at a plethora of different voltages AC and DC varying from 750 to 25,000 volts, and signaling systems vary from country to country, complicating cross-border traffic.
Transport in the European Union is a shared competence of the Union and its member states. The European Commission includes a Commissioner for Transport, currently Adina Ioana Vălean. Since 2012, the commission also includes a Directorate-General for Mobility and Transport which develops EU policies in the transport sector and manages funding for Trans-European Networks and technological development and innovation, worth €850 million yearly for the period 2000–2006.
UNIFE, or the European Rail Supply Industry Association, is an association of Europe's rail supply companies active in the design, manufacture, maintenance and refurbishment of rail transport systems, subsystems and related equipment. UNIFE also brings together 15 national rail industry associations of European countries. UNIFE is a member of the Group of Representative Bodies.
European Rail Infrastructure Managers (EIM) is a sector association that represents the interests of European rail infrastructure managers. Members consist of owners/managers of infrastructure from most European/EEA countries. EIM was formally established in 2002 following the liberalisation of the EU railway market to promote the interests of independent rail infrastructure managers in the EU and the EEA. EIM is a founding member of the Platform for European Rail Infrastructure Managers (PRIME), a member of the Group of Representative Bodies and a member of the Management Board of the European Union Agency for Railways (ERA).
The Single European Railway Directive 20122012/34/EU is an EU Directive that regulates railway networks in European Union law. This recast the "First Railway Directive" or "Package" from 1991, and allows open access operations on railway lines by companies other than those that own the rail infrastructure. The legislation was extended by further directives to include cross border transit of freight.
Ministry of Transport and Communications is a government institution in the Republic of Lithuania which coordinates the work of road, rail, air, water, transport, postal and electronic communications sector and implements the strategy and politics of state government.
The UIRR, short for "Union internationale pour le transport combiné Rail-Route" is a European organisation promoting intermodal transport. It was founded in 1970, and celebrated its 40th anniversary at a conference in Brussels.
RailNetEurope (RNE) is a non-profit organization working to increase the accessibility, quality and efficiency of the European rail network throughout Europe. There are currently 37 rail Infrastructure Managers and/or Allocation Bodies who are members of RNE.
The European Railway Award was initiated in 2007 and is jointly organised by the Community of European Railway and Infrastructure Companies (CER), and the Union des Industries Ferroviaires Européennes, the Association of the European Rail Industry (UNIFE).
The Railway Safety Agency, in Spanish, Agencia Estatal de Seguridad Ferroviaria (AESF) is a Spanish state agency within the Department of Transport. The AESF is the highest railway authority and responsible for the railway safety. It carries out safety management and supervision of all elements of the railway system: infrastructures, rolling stock, railway personnel, and railway operation. The agency is responsible for granting, suspending and revoking the licenses of railway companies.
Forum Train Europe (FTE) is an international organization based in Bern, Switzerland. FTE serves as the primary coordination and exchange platform for Europe's railway undertakings in the area of timetabling and capacity management. The work of FTE and its members is ultimately aimed at promoting increased and improved freight and passenger rail connections in Europe.
