ERFA membership welcomes Lineas as newest partner

European Rail Freight Association’s (ERFA) Board of Directors has announced the addition of Lineas to the ERFA membership. Following becoming the first freight company to have won the European Railway Award in 2020, Lineas serves as an example of the dynamic which private players are bringing to the transport sector.

By joining the membership and working in cooperation with other ERFA members, ERFA believes that Lineas will have a key role to play in the creation of a truly liberalised and competitive European rail freight market.

Additionally, the ERFA Board of Directors believes that Lineas membership enhances ERFA’s position as a strong voice for private and independent rail freight companies at EU level. 

President of ERFA, Dirk Stahl, said: “I am glad that ERFA can attract such an important railway company as Lineas and that we can join forces to create a European rail freight sector with strong and competitive railway undertakings. This is essential in order to see real growth in rail freight and subsequently allow the sector to contribute successfully towards Europe’s environmental and modal shift objectives.”

Lineas is currently Europe’s largest private rail freight operator that is active throughout Europe with its Green Xpress Network. Lineas and ERFA are well aligned in their objectives, specifically regarding the creation of a single and competitive European rail freight market. 

Geert Pauwels, Lineas‘ CEO, said: “We strongly believe that private rail freight players will make the difference in Europe. As private companies, we have a unique customer mind-set to deliver innovative products that convince our customers to shift from road to rail. We look forward to working with ERFA to strengthen the sector and attract private investors who will help us grow and realise the modal shift.”