EU Rail Industry Meets in Poland, Urges Investment, Industrial Reforms & High-Speed Rail Policy
Europe’s Rail Supply Industry met in the heart of Poland this week to tackle crunch issues such as future EU rail funding, competitiveness challenges, trade and the best way to proceed with a European High-Speed Rail Network.
UNIFE’s 34th General Assembly in Warsaw hosted senior EU, and Rail Industry representatives, while 13 new members showed confidence in the European Rail Supply Industry Association’s vision to make rail Europe’s premier mode of transport.
UNIFE Director General Enno Wiebe led the proceedings, declaring that industry must respond with impact once EU institutions deliver draft decisions on the upcoming EU Budget and future initiatives such as a plan for a European High-Speed Rail Network.
With the EU Budget (Multiannual Financial Framework) draft set to be delivered next month, Enno Wiebe reminded policymakers that without investment in technology, European rail networks are at risk of stagnating and failing to meet the extremely high public demand for more and frequent rail services. Furthermore, funding will be vital to ensure the resilience of the network in the context of Military Mobility.
Further to this, UNIFE affirmed its support on the European High-Speed Rail Network, but called on the Commission to provide key details on financing and to ensure the ambitious project benefits European economies and the supply industry.
On other matters, UNIFE warned it must ensure the competitiveness of the European Rail Supply Industry in public procurement and trade – in particular through the European Commission’s upcoming review of the 2014 Public Procurement Directives. This includes establishing the rail supply industry as a ‘strategic’ industry, and ensuring European preference across procurement procedures.
These positions are critical to ensure the European Rail Supply Industry’s position as global market leader, which has come about through its commitment to quality and innovation. This quality standard has been set through IRIS Certification®. When it comes to R&I, the industry has also been strongly involved in Europe’s Rail Joint Undertaking, and asks for its continuation in the upcoming EU budget.
Poland’s 2024 National Implementation Plan outlines a strategic rollout of the ERTMS/ETCS system, aiming to equip approximately 9,800 km of rail lines, primarily within the TEN-T network, with ETCS Level 2 by 2050.
Currently in Poland, the implementation of ETCS has been completed on 791,69 km of railway lines, 626,72 km were equipped with, Level 2, 120,25 km in Level 1 and 50,72 km in Level 1 Limited Supervision. The older SHP (Class B) system will be gradually phased out by 2048.
Member of the European Parliament’s Transport and Tourism Committee Dariusz Joński (EPP, Poland) stressed the strategic importance of the European rail supply industry, presented his vision for rail and the importance of securing Europe by prioritising rail military mobility capabilities. Poland was further represented with Alan Beroud, President of the Management Board of PKP and Piotr Wyborski CEO PKP Cargo, who delivered an update on major rail developments and future rail prospects in the country.
New Executive Director of the European Union Agency for Railways (ERA) Oana Gherghinescu addressed attendees on her brand new vision for the agency, while the European Commission was represented by Advisor for Innovation and Industrial Policy of DG MOVE Keir Fitch and Executive Director of Europe’s Rail Joint Undertaking Giorgio Travaini.
UNIFE welcomed 13 new members to the association which include LÜTZE Transportation (DE), NKE Austria (AT), Blu Wireless Technology (UK), Westermo Network Technologies (SE), SRT (IT), Kombud Group (PL), Hubert+Suhner (CH), Strukton Rail (NL), Diehl Aviation Gilching (DE), NYMWAG CS (CZ), Tejasa TC - Silentflex (ES), WINDHOFF Bahn- und Anlagentechnik (DE) and Loram Limited (UK).
The UNIFE General Assembly concluded with the approval of Brussels as the location for the 2026 edition, to be held on 10-11 June.
Quotes attributable to Enno Wiebe, UNIFE Director General
“Since the last General Assembly, the UNIFE team has not wasted a single day pursuing opportunities for more funding for rail and to sustain investment in innovation through the Europe’s Rail Joint Undertaking successor.”
“Rail is receiving attention and there is a lot of ambition – but these alone are not enough. The European Rail Supply Industry needs stable, efficient and simpler policy frameworks to achieve the ERTMS roll-out, deliver the TEN-T network and more high-speed rail for Europe, and to thrive on the Single Market and beyond with the increasing rail demand and forecast.”
Quotes attributable to Michael Peter, UNIFE Chair and Siemens Mobility CEO
“European unity needs rail and rail needs European unity. Our General Assembly in Warsaw allowed us to make real progress, and support many countries such as Poland to become new driving forces in a connected European rail network.”
“We can be inspired by the progress in the country, particularly in high-speed rail and centralised transport hubs. At our General Assembly, we had the chance to build on the momentum in Poland to support our UNIFE key priorities including the quicker deployment of technologies like ERTMS, securing funding, and pushing for major regulatory simplification at the EU level.”
Quotes attributable to Dariusz Joński, Member of European Parliament, Transport and Tourism Committee
“It’s a privilege to highlight the European Rail Supply Industry — a sector driving innovation, sustainability, and competitiveness with over 650,000 jobs and a €58 billion market. As a key player in reducing emissions and advancing technology, it needs strong EU support, fair competition, and strategic investment to build a resilient, innovative railway future for Europe.”
Quotes attributable to Piotr Wyborski, President of the Management Board, PLK
“At PKP Polskie Linie Kolejowe S.A., we view infrastructure not merely as tracks and stations, but as a strategic investment in the economy, society, and the environment. Following a period of slowdown, 2024 and 2025 mark a strong comeback—with over €6,9 billion in tenders already launched and another €3,7 billion planned by the end of the year.”
Quotes attributable to Alan Beroud, President of the Management Board and CEO, PKP
"I received the invitation to attend the UNIFE General Assembly in Warsaw with great satisfaction. For us, it is not only an honour, but also a confirmation of the growing role of Poland and PKP in the European railway sector. As Chairman of the UIC and CEO of PKP S.A, I am pleased that the capital of Poland has become a place for dialogue and cooperation among key players in the European railway market.”
In order to read more of the outcome of our General Assembly we recommend you to visit our LinkedIn and Bluesky channels.
For further information, please contact:
Andrei Ciufu
UNIFE Head of Communications
P: +32 2 626 12 64
E: andrei.ciufu@unife.org
