MEP-INDUSTRY FORUM : RAIL FORUM EUROPE (RFE)

MEP-Industry Forums are groups that invove MEPs from different parties meeting with interest representatives from a respective sector. They facilitate broad sectoral interest representation during conferences and lunch debates that are organized and where business people talk about the issues of concern to them in their sector. They play a very useful role in that they support MEPs in their efforts to shape policy and regulations by facilitating and strengthening the exchange of information. These forums are important because the sectors represented create jobs in Europe. Forums are financially supported by business and industry and have their Secretariat outside the European Parliament's premises. Admittedly participants in such forums defend their interests but MEPs also defend their interests as legislators, and sometimes there is a clash between both positions. It is important for these forums to fully disclose their activities so there's no ambiguity about their activities.

Advantages of MEP-Industry Forums

• Discussion of key issues with MEPs and top level officials,
• Business members and policymakers suggest topics discussed at industry forum meetings and conferences,
• Meetings are held at the early stage of policy development or change when exchanges are most fruitful. Business members provide feedback and suggestions. MEPs can take soundings and review options,
• Participants provide the latest insights into complex questions,
• Extensive opportunities for networking informally.
• Forums provide a unique combination of senior business people and MEPs for a constructive, stimulating and productive dialogue.

Rail Forum Europe

Associate Members

The Rail Forum Europe counts  42 Associate Members

• ABB-Asea Brown Boveri
• Agoria- Belgian Federation of the Technology Industry
• Alstom Management
• Ansaldo STS
• AZD Praha
• BLS AG
• Bombardier Transportation
• CER- Community of European Railways and Infrastructure Companies
• CFL (Luxembourg Railways)
• Club Feroviar
• Comité pour la Transalpine Lyon-Turin
• Deutsche Bahn (German Railways)
• Deutsche Post DHL
• EFRTC- European Federation of Railway Trackworks Contractors
• EPF- European Passengers’ Federation
• ERFA- European Rail Freight Association
• Eurostar
• Ferrmed
• Ferrovie dello Stato Italiane
• GDF Suez
• ÖBB Holding (Austrian Railways)
• Oltis Group
• PKP Holding (Polish Railways)
• RoCK (Regions of Connected Knowledge)
• RZD- Russian Railways
• Siemens Mobility
• SIRTS- Polish Association for Rail Transport Interoperability and Development
• SNCB/NMBS- Belgian Railways
• SNCF- French Railways
• Strukton Rail
• Talgo
• Thales Transportation
• UECC- Union of European Chambers of Commerce and Industry for Transport
• UIC- International Union of Railways
• UIP- International Union of Private Wagons
• UITP- International Association of Public Transport
• UIRR- International Union of Combined Road-Rail Transport Companies
• UNIFE- The European Rail Industry (Association of the European Rail Industry)
• VDB- Verband der Bahnindustrie in Deutschland (Association of the Rail Industry in Germany)
• Veolia Transdev
• Voestalpine
• VR Group-Finnish Railways