From PRIME to ENIM: A new era for European rail infrastructure managers

Europe’s railway sector is on the verge of a major transition as a new EU regulation on the use of railway capacity is expected to be adopted in summer 2026. The legislation is set to reshape how infrastructure managers coordinate capacity, traffic and performance across the EU. In this context, the Platform of Rail Infrastructure Managers in Europe (PRIME), established in 2013, which I have the honour to co-chair, is preparing to evolve into the European Network of Infrastructure Managers (ENIM). In this new set-up, it will take on expanded responsibilities aligned with the forthcoming regulatory framework.

Since 2013, PRIME has significantly contributed to the development of Europe’s rail network. For over a decade, PRIME has served as a platform for dialogue among European infrastructure managers. Within this framework, European IMs have been able to develop benchmarks and make progress on interoperability, all of which now makes it possible to move to the next stage in capacity management. PRIME is currently actively preparing and leading the transition to ENIM.From PRIME to ENIM: A new era for European rail infrastructure managers Alain Quinet (SNCF Réseau), current Industry Co-Chair of PRIME, presents the work of the European Network of Infrastructure Managers (ENIM). The inaugural event will take place on Wednesday 23 September at InnoTrans.

ENIM will bring together senior representatives from rail infrastructure managers and allocation bodies along the TEN-T core and extended core network, with the objective of playing a key role in harmonising processes for rail capacity management, traffic management and performance review. To this end, we will define common rules in the form of European frameworks and establish a onestop shop for multi-network capacity rights. Although these frameworks will not be formally legally binding, they will play a significant role in aligning practices across national networks.

Although infrastructure managers have long been cooperating in the allocation of cross-border capacity and have been supported by the Rail Freight Corridors initiative since 2010, the new EU regulation will significantly intensify cooperation - both among infrastructure managers and with railway undertakings. The latter are also preparing the European Railway Platform (ERP) to facilitate consultations with ENIM and other stakeholders.

While the formal adoption of the regulation is still pending, preparations for the founding plenary session of the ENIM are already in full swing. It will take place on 23 September at InnoTrans in Berlin. At this event, we will not only adopt new rules of procedure for our network, but also a draft work programme for 2027 and 2028. I would like to assure you that my colleagues are fully committed to ensuring a successful launch of ENIM and that we are working closely together to guarantee a smooth transition. This is also reflected in the ongoing selection process of the ENIM chairpersonship.

Providing continuous support to its members, business partners and stakeholders will be a central consideration for the new network. ENIM is not expected to establish a permanent secretariat but instead plans to rely on the support of RailNetEurope (RNE), a Vienna-based association of infrastructure managers with extensive experience in cross-border coordination. We therefore intend to appoint RNE as Network Coordinator at the ENIM founding plenary.