ERTMS Information Day 2025: Advancing Connectivity Across Europe

The ERTMS Information Day 2025, held in Frankfurt, showcased current challenges on the European rail sector’s journey towards digital transformation and interoperability. The day commenced with the input from the European Coordinator for ERTMS, Mr Matthias Ruete, outlining the regulatory developments to the 70 participants, including the TEN-T Regulation 2024, deadlines for radio-based systems, and the obligation to decommission legacy Class B systems. The CCS TSI introduced Baseline 4, on-board modularity, and preparations for 5G Rail Communication (FRMCS). By 2030, an additional 9,100 vehicles were expected to be equipped with ETCS, representing a 76% increase over previous trends. The Commission emphasised the need for harmonisation, long-term planning, increasing industry capacity, and adaptation of the EU legal framework for State Aid.

Next, the Ministries of RFC North Sea – Rhine – Mediterranean presented the current state of play of the national roll-out of ERTMS. This included the migration of vehicle fleets to ERTMS, particularly in Switzerland and Germany. Switzerland’s Federal Office of Transport (FOT) presented its updated ERTMS Strategy, targeting cab signalling with FRMCS and defining measures for system optimisation and technical development. The Swiss fleet migration, involving around 2,500 vehicles, faced challenges due to diverse ownership structures, international vehicles, limited workshop resources, and funding uncertainties. In 2024, a political decision supported preparatory work, including financial aid and the expansion of ETCS System Leadership to vehicles, with four sub-projects launched in 2025: financing, synergies, a rolling ERTMS laboratory, and pilot vehicles. Synergy initiatives, such as collaborative engineering for FRMCS roof antennas, already demonstrated substantial cost savings and efficiency gains.

Germany’s reform package for Deutsche Bahn, aimed to enhance punctuality, safety, and cost efficiency, with clear targets for long-distance and local train punctuality.

Financing for ETCS projects was secured through a special infrastructure and climate fund, with expanded vehicle funding and a new coordination office for rollout. The pilot line Hamburg-Berlin showcased simultaneous FRMCS and 5G passenger internet deployment. By October 2025, Germany’s rolling stock included 14,413 vehicles, with 627 equipped with ETCS SV 2.x, and new tenders increasingly requiring ERTMS compatibility.

Cross-border coordination emerged as a critical theme, with risks identified in loosely aligned implementation steps, system inconsistencies, and increased costs for vehicle fleets and staff training. The event underscored the importance of bilateral agreements, joint monitoring, and the creation of favourable conditions by Member States and National Safety Authorities (NSAs). High-speed international operations, such as Thalys and Eurostar, illustrated the complexities of multi-country ERTMS deployment and the necessity for regular communication and project coordination.

Italy’s RFI presented its ERTMS objectives, aiming for network-wide implementation and stimulating on-board subsystem upgrades through financing and coordination. The RFI network encompassed 16,829 km, with ongoing efforts to migrate to CCS radio-based systems and decommission Class B systems.

In conclusion, the ERTMS Information Day 2025 showcased Europe’s commitment to rail digitalisation, interoperability, and cross-border cooperation. The event provided a platform for sharing strategies, challenges, and solutions, reinforcing the sector’s collective drive towards a modern, efficient, and customer-focused railway system by 2030 and beyond.