Passengers

Objective

The rail sector is fully engaged in addressing the important societal need for better accessibility of persons with disabilities to public infrastructure. In this regard, rail Infrastructure Managers (IMs) are committed to continue investing in making the railway infrastructure, such as stations and platforms, accessible for all users including persons with disabilities and persons with reduced mobility (PRM). On European level, Regulation (EU) 1300/2014 on the “Technical Specifications for Interoperability relating to the accessibility of the Union’s rail system for persons with disabilities and persons with reduced mobility (TSI PRM)” applies to infrastructure, operation and traffic management, telematics applications and rolling stock where accessibility of persons with disabilities and persons with reduced mobility is necessary. Only new or renewed infrastructure and/or rolling stock will have to comply with the accessibility rules as defined in the TSI PRM.

The European Commission (EC) has formulated the ambition to include the platform-train-interface in the TSIs in the upcoming TSI Revision Cycle as well as finishing the common priorities and criteria.

EIM in action

EIM advocates the accessibility of rail travel by persons with disabilities via EIM’s WG “PRM” (persons with reduced mobility).
EIM is a member of the “European Commission TSI Advisory Body”, a European Commission Expert Group dealing with the PRM TSI. EIM speakers ensure a fair balance between accessibility, financial impact, operations and human resources requirements.
EIM’s WG PRM actively participates in the ERA TWG Platform-Train-Interface (PTI) jointly with CER.

EIM actions in 2025

In the EC PRM Advisory Body of February 2025, EIM and CER presented the findings of a joint field trip with the help of their members ProRail and NS. The main take-away was that great improvements for all passengers can be achieved when platform height and train vehicles are aligned to provide level access.
EIM WG “PRM” held a physical meeting in Mons (Belgium) to discuss quantitative criteria for station buildings in order to quantify station quality.
Together with the CER WG “PRM”, the EIM WG “PRM” held a joint physical meeting in Olten (Switzerland) to discuss the Retractable step on rolling stock developed by SBB that bridges the gap between train and platform as a solution to improve accessibility.

Outlook 2026

EIM’s WG “PRM” will continue participation in the TSI Revision Cycle where the improvement of the Train-Platform-Interface is expected to be a major new topic.
It will also pursue the discussions within the framework of the EC Advisory Body TSI PRM on the implementation of the ERSAD-database and the drafting of the Common Criteria and Priorities for the NIP TSI PRM.
EIM “PRM”-experts will continue its regular meetings with the corresponding working group of CER.
EIM “PRM”-experts continue its joint meetings with EIM “Stations”-experts.