The European Union Agency for Railways (ERA) has overtaken national bodies as the primary authoriser for train vehicles, with a 60% share of all applications for new trains between June 2019 and April 2023.
Germany’s Greens stand accused of engaging in a veritable bout of cronyism, as political opponents have pounced on a chink in the armour of a party all too ready to give off a sense of being “holier than thou”.
EU lawmakers are backing trains to cut transport emissions, setting ambitious goals to boost passenger and freight numbers. The European Union Agency for Railways has been assisting train companies to authorise rail vehicles, ensuring new trains can enter service quicker.