PRIME
The Platform of Rail Infrastructure Managers in Europe (PRIME) was created in 2013 to facilitate the exchange of views, knowledge and best practices between Infrastructure Managers (IMs) and the European Commission.
PRIME focuses on key matters concerning the implementation of the Single European Rail Area, including the deployment of European Rail Traffic Management System (ERTMS).
PRIME has the legal status of an EC ‘Expert Group’, which provides expertise to the EC, also related to legal initiatives of the EC on topics relevant for IMs.
PRIME plenary meetings take place twice per year, while different subgroups meet regularly to discuss and make proposals on dedicated topics such as digitalisation, charges, financing, KPIs and benchmarking, implementing acts and safety culture.
Through PRIME, IMs can exchange and influence the European legislation to ensure that their interests are taken into account.
EIM in action
- All EIM members actively participate in PRIME;
- EIM acts as an observer;
- EIM and its members foster and advocate an open, constructive and transparent dialogue between all Infrastructure Managers and the EU.
2019
- In 2019, two PRIME Plenary meetings took place in June and November;
- PRIME members discussed the TTR-project, innovation, safety culture, track access charges and digitalisation, but also EU funding such as the European Fund of Strategic investments (EFSI) and the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF);
- PRIME members endorsed the RNE International Contingency Management Handbook providing rules and procedures in case of unforeseen international disruption;
- PRIME also discussed various operational issues and contingency measures with the “Dialogue of Railways Undertakings” (RUD). To this effect, in 2019, an ‘Industry Coordinator’ has been appointed to streamline the work with the RUD.
Outlook 2020
- The next PRIME Plenary meeting will take place on 11th June 2020;
- PRIME has positioned itself within the discussion on the ‘European Green Deal’ and has published a paper about how infrastructure managers are helping to create a low-carbon transport system.
- In order to attract young professionals to the rail sector, the so-called ‘PRIME Young Professionals Platform’ will develop during 2020. This programme aims to facilitate medium and long term exchanges of young professionals between infrastructure managers.
- The new PRIME subgroup ‘digital solutions for European rail capacity and traffic management in support of European cross-border rail traffic’ will have its first meeting in 2020.
