The European railway sector has used the 18th edition of the European Railway Award to urge all stakeholders—from policymakers to the wider industry and beyond—to move beyond planning and focus on execution to realise the full potential of the Single European Railway Area (SERA). A more integrated and efficient European rail network is critical to addressing some of the continent’s most pressing challenges.
Jointly organised by the European Rail Supply Industry Association (UNIFE) and the Community of European Railway and Infrastructure Companies (CER), the 2025 awards ceremony took place at the Royal Museums of Fine Arts in Brussels. The event was centred on the theme ‘A New Journey for Europe’s Rail: From Inspiration to Realisation,’ recognising three influential figures who have been instrumental in driving rail initiatives across Europe.
Key figures attending the event included Apostolos Tzitzikostas, European Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism; Dariusz Klimczak, Polish Minister of Infrastructure and representative of the Polish Presidency of the Council of the European Union; and Dariusz Joński, MEP and Member of the European Parliament’s Transport and Tourism Committee.
Among the evening’s honorees, Enrico Letta, former Prime Minister of Italy, was awarded the prestigious Rail Champion prize. Letta was recognised for his tireless efforts in raising awareness of rail’s critical role in European growth and sustainability. His influential report to the Council of the EU, ‘Much More Than a Market,’ advocated for the planning, funding, and implementation of high-speed rail links connecting European capitals, which he believes are essential for advancing both the green and digital transitions.
A Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Dominique Riquet, former Member of the European Parliament, for his long-standing support of rail. Over his career (2009-2024), Riquet played a pivotal role in negotiating the revision of the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T) regulation and securing long-term funding for rail infrastructure, particularly through the Connecting Europe Facility.
Josef Doppelbauer was also recognised with an Accomplishment Award for his 25 years of service in the railway sector, including his leadership as Executive Director of the European Union Agency for Railways (ERA) from 2015 to 2024. Doppelbauer was instrumental in promoting and overseeing the implementation of the Fourth Railway Package, an initiative to further harmonise and modernise the European railway sector.
Throughout the evening, speakers emphasised the need for continued investment through a forward-thinking Multiannual Financial Framework for 2028-2034, alongside predictable regulation and the completion of key policies and infrastructure programmes. These include the modernisation of the TEN-T network and the full implementation of the European Rail Traffic Management System (ERTMS).
The sector has called on EU policymakers and MEPs to prioritise infrastructure modernisation, the adoption of innovative technologies, and the integration of cross-border networks to ensure Europe’s railway system remains competitive and meets the evolving needs of its economy.
Share on:
