UNIFE applauds Germany’s step to strengthen ERTMS® coordination

Germany plans to accelerate the deployment of ERTMS® across both rail infrastructure and rolling stock through the establishment of a new ERTMS® Coordination Office. The decision was agreed on 17 April during the round table on digitalisation convened by the Federal Ministry of Transport (BMV). The new office will act as a single point of contact for the rail industry and will oversee funding for the installation of onboard equipment, with its organisational structure to be reviewed by June 2027.

BMV has acknowledged that Germany has lagged behind in the rollout of ERTMS® and its train control system, ETCS, across both infrastructure and rolling stock, and has underlined a renewed determination to address this challenge. Benefits of ERTMS® will include increasing capacity utilization on the existing network over the long term by enabling trains to run at shorter headways as well as train punctuality and service reliability.

UNIFE warmly welcomes this important step. As a strategic rail hub at the heart of Europe, with extensive cross‑border traffic, Germany plays a pivotal role in the coherent and effective deployment of ETCS across the European rail network. Strengthened coordination through this initiative will be essential to ensuring interoperability and supporting the successful digital transformation of European rail.

This week, during the ERA ERTMS Conference, there was a strong call for more robust European ERTMS® governance, as highlighted by Matthias Ruete, European Coordinator for ERTMS at DG MOVE, in his report “ERTMS - Third work plan of the European coordinator Matthias Ruete.”