The Platform of Rail Infrastructure Managers in Europe (PRIME) is pleased to announce the release of its ninth benchmarking report, covering the years 2020-2024. Established in 2013, PRIME aims to promote cooperation and exchange among infrastructure managers across Europe and fostering knowledge in the rail sector.
This report presents essential figures and insights regarding the safety, performance, revenues, and expenditures of European rail infrastructure managers.
About the findings
Covering the years 2020-2024, this report presents comprehensive data from a particularly dynamic and impactful period in the European railway sector. It reflects on how the sector responded to significant events, including the outbreak and recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the onset of Russia’s war against Ukraine in 2022. Coupled with economic challenges such as surging inflation rates, these events have had profound effects on the rail sector.
After the lifting of nearly all travel restrictions in 2022, train activity returned to prepandemic levels, with some infrastructure managers even surpassing their 2019 figures in 2024. Passenger numbers, however, remain slightly below pre-pandemic levels, likely due to changes in mobility patterns, such as the rise of remote work and ongoing health concerns. While freight train activity was less impacted by the pandemic overall, there was a noticeable decline in the Baltic states during this period. This trend, which had already begun, accelerated with the onset of Russia’s war against Ukraine.
Investing in rail infrastructure is crucial for maintaining high standards and improving rail performance, but it has become more challenging amid high inflation rates. Capital expenditures (CAPEX) have increased by 43% in nominal terms, corresponding to a 11% increase in real terms. This sustained rise in CAPEX, both in nominal and real terms, reflects a growing number of large-scale renewal and enhancement projects. Operational expenditures (OPEX) saw a more moderate nominal increase of 23%, but in real terms, this represents a 1% decrease.
Despite these challenges, rail transport continues to maintain its reputation as one of the greenest and safest modes of transport. Infrastructure managers are actively working to improve these aspects further. In terms of sustainability, the proportion of electric trains has increased by an average of 3%. Regarding safety, there has been a slight increase in significant accidents on average between 2020 and 2024, although accident rates remain low. However, it is important to note that due to the generally low numbers, individual events can have a disproportionately large impact on the average.
About the report
23 participating infrastructure managers and a more complete dataset
This year, an unprecedented number of 23 infrastructure managers took part in the report. Compared to the first eight reports, this edition includes a more complete dataset, less deviating figures and after last year’s report for the second time, an inflation-adjusted analysis of financial performance indicators.
Significance extends beyond the benchmarking subgroup
We believe that PRIME data and definitions can serve the needs of a large range of rail experts and policy makers. By measuring and sharing the results, we aim to demonstrate to the wider public that the rail sector is committed to improving its service provision.
Report presenting complete time series of the COVID-19 impacts
This year’s report covers the period from 2020 to 2024. It begins with the outbreak of COVID-19 in 2020 and the resulting travel restrictions, and continues through 2022, when most restrictions were lifted. By 2024, most pandemic-related effects had largely subsided. To improve the interpretability of selected indicators such as TAC and modal share, the year 2019 is included as a pre-pandemic baseline in the respective illustrations.
Second report accounting for the effects of inflation
Inflation was another major challenge for infrastructure managers between 2020 and 2024. Rising prices required a reassessment of investment priorities, balancing operational performance with the need for long-term sustainable network development.
It is therefore important to distinguish between cost increases driven by general price level changes and those reflecting real growth. Building on its introduction in last year’s report, the inclusion of both nominal and inflation-adjusted analyses of financial performance indicators provides a more robust basis for interpretation.
About the background
Platform of Rail Infrastructure Managers in Europe (PRIME)
The Platform of Rail Infrastructure Managers in Europe (PRIME) was established between the European Commission’s transport and mobility directorate general (DG MOVE), and rail infrastructure managers in 2013. A central idea behind PRIME is to give infrastructure managers, who are natural monopolies, an opportunity to learn from each other.
The establishment of a network of rail infrastructure managers was proposed by the 4th Railway Package. PRIME has grown significantly since its inception, both in terms of membership and the scope of activities. Alongside the European Commission and ERA, PRIME now has 37 industry members including all main infrastructure managers of EU Member States and of the EFTA members Switzerland and Norway. Four industry associations of European rail infrastructure managers participate as observers.
The participation of the main infrastructure managers per country in PRIME is mandatory. Working groups have been set up to address the major topics: safety, KPIs and benchmarking, digitalisation, charging and financing. The number of infrastructure managers participating in the KPI & benchmarking subgroup has steadily increased. It currently has 24 participants, 23 of whom are active members.
Backup
Report methodology
In this report, the key indicators will each be shown in a time series and a benchmarking chart, presenting key trends and a cross-comparison of infrastructure managers. However, the quantitative results can only be interpreted meaningfully if the main influencing factors are taken into account: infrastructure managers are operating in different countries under different geographic and political circumstances.
Without considering the different characteristics of the infrastructure managers and their structural peculiarities, meaningful comparisons cannot be achieved. For this reason, background information on the specific contexts of the infrastructure managers and rail infrastructure is provided for each indicator. Influencing factors cover climate, socio-demographic, historical and political, economic, technical factors, and services provided by the infrastructure manager.