Shift2Rail logo A body of the European Union

EU Council officially adopts the Shift2Rail Regulation; the Joint Undertaking for Rail Research is now a reality

Following the positive opinions released by both the European Economic and Social Committee and the European Parliament in March and April this year, this final Council’s adoption marks the end of the legislative process and the beginning of a truly new era for rail research and innovation in Europe.

Shift2Rail is an unprecedented joint effort by the European rail sector and the European Union to create a step change in rail technology in order to meet three major targets: enhancing the capacity of the European rail system to cope with increased user demand, increasing the reliability and quality of rail services, and significantly reducing the life cycle cost of the overall system.

This R&D Public-Private Partnership will make rail transport more attractive to millions of European passengers and freight users and boost the competitiveness of the most sustainable transport mode. Shift2Rail will encompass research, innovation and demonstration activities in all aspects of the rail system, amounting to no less than €920 Million, co-financed by the EU and the private sector under the Horizon2020 budget across the 6 year lifespan of the initiative.

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