6 July 2026 marked the draft offer deadline, where Infrastructure Managers (IMs) across Europe delivered their draft offers to Applicants – a key step in the preparation of the annual timetable 2027.

Applicants can now review how their requested train paths have been worked into concrete offers.

The deadline was preceded by an intensive three‑month period following the receipt of path requests in mid‑April 2026, submitted by Railway Undertakings (RUs) and other Applicants. During this period, IMs analysed requests, constructed train paths, resolved conflicts and worked closely with international partners to ensure cross‑border alignment and a harmonised offer across the European rail network.

International timetable coordination at annual Technical Meeting

A key contribution to this effort was made during the 22nd RNE Technical Meeting, which took place from 15 to 18 June 2026 in Bratislava. The meeting brought together timetable experts from across Europe to further coordinate and align draft offers for international traffic, strengthen cooperation between IMs and support the development of consistent cross‑border capacity solutions.

Throughout the process, the RNE Joint Office, together with RNE Members, closely monitored the progress. Where challenges arose, mitigation measures were introduced to minimise delays and support the timely delivery of draft offers.

Applicants now enter the next phase of the timetable process and have one month to review and comment on the offers received.

PCS Capacity Broker: the digital solution for efficient path coordination

Overall, more than 2,600 paths were offered via the PCS Capacity Broker, the latest version of RNE’s long-established Path Coordination System (PCS), a common coordination platform used by sector stakeholders to request and manage international train paths.

Thanks to the PCS Capacity Broker, path requests could be processed efficiently and in a harmonised way across Europe, supporting the coordination needed to deliver the draft offers for the 2027 annual timetable on time.