Brussels, 19/02/2014 (Agence Europe) - On Wednesday 19 February, the heads of major railway companies met in Athens to discuss their contribution to research and innovation in the rail industry. The industry is expected to help boost R&D funding in Europe by way of the Shift2Rail public-private partnership proposed by the Commission and which will have close to €920 million for the 2014-2020 period. It still needs to be approved by the Transport Council, probably at its meeting in March.
Eight companies (Alstom, Bombardier, Siemens, Ansaldo STS, Thales, CAF, Trafikverket and Network Rail) have individually pledged to contribute at least €30 million of their own funds to Shift2Rail and the European Commission will contribute €450 million (three times more than during the previous financial programming period). Alongside these companies, many smaller and medium-sized companies, as well as research institutes were invited to share their ideas during this conference organised in Athens by the Greek presidency. The first Shift2Rail financed projects are expected to be launched next year. They will be aimed at making rail transport cheaper, more attractive and innovative. (MD/transl.fl)